Khartoum: Sudan suspended broadcasts of the BBC Arabic radio service on FM bandwidths on Monday because of alleged violations by the British media giant of its licence agreement with Sudanese authorities.
Sudan's government said the decision had nothing to do with the content of BBC Arabic's news coverage, but rather stemmed from two incidents that Sudan said broke the broadcaster's 1999 deal with Khartoum.
In a statement released on Monday, the government alleged that a BBC crew smuggled satellite equipment for live transmission into Sudan in a diplomatic pouch and began working in south Sudan without government approval: both in violation of the agreement.
BBC Arabic radio on FM frequencies were no longer available in the north on Monday. The government said it could review its position on the suspension if the BBC abides by the deal, but did not elaborate.
The BBC World Service confirmed on Monday that its Arabic service on FM radio in Sudan had been discontinued, and said it was in talks with the authorities in Khartoum aimed at resuming the broadcasts.
"We are very disappointed that the Sudanese people in northern Sudan are no longer able to access the impartial news and current affairs of BBC Arabic on FM radio," BBC Head of Africa Jerry Timmins said. "We hope that we will be able to continue broadcasting at some point."
He said that BBC Arabic continues to be available in northern Sudan via its website, shortwave and satellite networks.
Sudan in 1999 granted BBC Arabic radio permission to broadcast in four northern towns: Khartoum, Port Sudan, Madani and Al Obeid.
