The management of Abyei Information and Radio Service (AIRS) and Abyei FM has announced on Wednesday that the radio will shut down starting Monday, June 2, until further notice.
In a statement, the management explained that the shutdown
is the result of multiple factors beyond their control, with funding being the
primary issue.
"The whole organization and the radio service have been
operating without a fixed budget since September 2024," said the
management.
They further revealed that the station's main donor, IREX,
ended its partnership in August 2024 due to security concerns, making it
difficult to assess and achieve the station's objectives.
This decision followed the looting and destruction of the
radio station in Agok in early 2024, which severely impacted operations.
Despite ongoing efforts, attempts to secure alternative funding have not been
successful.
The organization also said the absence of its Project
Director, who has been forced to leave the area for safety reasons since 2023,
has hindered efforts to engage with local partners and secure support for the
station.
“Therefore, the management is calling for support from
well-wishers and the area sons and daughters to maintain the only media outlet
in the region that provides the audience with credible news and life-saving
information,” the statement continued.
The future of Abyei FM now hangs in the balance as the management seeks resources to overcome these ongoing challenges.
