FILE PHOTO: Radio Miraya FM, Juba, South Sudan, 2011

The government and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan locked horns after the government declared the operation of Radio Miraya illegal in the country, a claim rejected by the head of the UN mission.

Last week, the Minister of Information, Michael Makuei said that the UN’s Radio was not operating in compliance with the laws of the country.

However, the head of the UN mission, Nicholas Haysom says Radio Miraya operates according to the Status of Force Agreement “SOFA” which both the government and the United Nations signed in 2011.

According to the SOFA agreement, UN radio shall be operated in accordance with the international Telecommunication Convention and Regulations.

The agreement stated that frequencies of the station shall be decided upon in cooperation with the government at the earliest possible date after the signature of this agreement or, as the case may be, on the request of UNMISS, within fifteen working days.

On many occasions, the government media regulatory body has repeatedly said Radio Miraya has been operating illegally in the country.

Speaking during the just commemorated International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists Makuei said that the UN especially UNMISS does not respect the country’s sovereignty by refusing to register ‘Radio Miraya” with the Media Authority.

“There are some institutions and individuals here in South Sudan who are not even respecting the laws of South Sudan, like the Miraya FM which has been operating illegally ever since and is not registered up to now in South Sudan,” said Makuei.

“They are refusing to register even though we are not asking them for money to register because the registration is free, but they are refusing to register because they don’t recognize the laws of South Sudan, such an institution how can you allow it to operate?

“We will take action against them. This is a UN agency that is disobeying its own members. These are UN employees disobeying their employer we are members of the UN,

“If South Sudan is a member of the UN, then anybody who is working with the UN is an employee of this government. But nevertheless, Miraya FM is not registered up to now,

“We have issued an order a long time ago prohibiting journalists working with Miraya FM not to attend any function in South Sudan, but nevertheless, they are coming in other ways, or some of you are supplying them with the information, this is what is happening.”

Makuei’s remarks came weeks after the Media Authority declared the work of Radio-Miraya journalists in the country as illegal.

Alier had vowed that the media regulatory body will not accredit the UN journalists.

In response, the special representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and head of the UN mission in South Sudan said there is no question about the legality of the UN radio’s work now.

Nicholas Haysom says Radio Miraya operates according to the Status of Force Agreement “SOFA” which both the government and the United Nations signed in 2011.

“In regard to Radio Miraya, let me say that provisions for independence for operations of Radio Miraya are provided for in the Status of Forces Agreement, and there is no question of Radio Miraya operation illegally at the moment,” said Haysom.

However, Nicholas Haysom added that there are serious discussions underway with the government about the work of Radio Miraya in the country.

“I may just add that we are in discussions with the government on the operation of the Radio Miraya as constructive discussions which include discussion on the modalities which re-assure all the independence parties, that the government included that Radio Miraya will respect the law and expectations that it will be impartial media outlet,” said Haysom.

“We respect the government right to raise that question and we will certainly be looking where we can meet that demand.”

The head UNMISS stressed that they respect the laws of the country.