Sudan halts BBC Arabic radio
The Sudanese government suspended the BBC's licence to broadcast in Arabic on FM radio stations in four cities in north Sudan on Monday (9 August 2010). An Information Ministry statement published by the state news agency SUNA on Sunday said the suspension was related to violations of the accord governing BBC activities, including the smuggling of satellite equipment.
The cities affected by the suspension are the capital Khartoum, Port Sudan, Wad Medani and El Obeid. The BBC said it is in discussions with Sudanese authorities to restore the broadcasts. Around four million people in Sudan listen to the BBC every week, including many Darfuri refugees in camps in the war-torn west of the country. The BBC has broadcast on FM in Sudan for ten years.