His Excellency Marshal Mobutu Sese Seko
President of the Republic of Zaire
Office of the President
Mont Ngaliema
Kinshasa
Zaire

Vienna, 12 August 1993

Your Excellency,

The International Press Institute (IPI), representing over 2000 journalists and editors from leading newspapers, magazines, broadcasting organizations and news agencies in 68 countries, condemns the suspension of seven journalists from their posts at the national radio and television company of Zaire (ORTZ).

It has been brought to our attention that Charles Djingu Singa Kamatanda, Michel Museme Diawe, Leonard Mulumbu Kalala, Silvestre Ntumba Nudingayi and Simplice Kalunga Wa Kalunga, were suspended from the national radio station because of the “independent tone” of their work. We also understand that Charles Dimandja Wembi and Jean Rene Mputu Bidwaya, both of Zaire Television, were suspended from their posts by Stephane Kitutu, president of ORTZ and former director of the trade union of journalists, l’Union de la press du Zaire, after creating a separate journalists’ association, l’Asssociation pour une press libre et democratique.

IPI regards these actions to be an attempt by your Government to strengthen its control over the media and to stifle free expression. In particular, the suspension of the TV journalists is in clear violation of the Windhoek Declaration of 1991, which was adopted by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and calls for “the establishment of truly independent, representative associations, syndicates or trade unions of journalists, and associations of editors and publishers”.

IPI urges you to reinstate the seven journalists in their posts without delay, and to allow the creation of separate, independent national unions for journalists, which are essential for effective freedom of information and expression and the independence of the press.

We thank you for your attention.

Yours sincerely,

Johann P. Fritz

Director