Rwanda suspends Christian radio station over hate sermon against women

Rwanda’s media regulatory body has ordered the suspension of a Christian radio station that broadcast a sermon described as discriminatory against women.

The Rwanda Media Commission (RMC) issued a three-month suspension of Amazing Grace Radio after a public hearing on Monday which followed petitions by women rights groups against the station and the preacher, reports local news portal The New Times.

The station hosted local preacher Nicolas Niyibikora who went on air in January describing women as the source of all evil. His sermon in the local Kinyarwanda language went viral on social media causing outrage.

The preacher failed to show up at the public hearing which was attended by the radio station’s proprietor Gregory Ryan Shoof who was ordered to write an apology letter to Rwandan women.

Shoof apologised to the public at the hearing claiming the sermon was preached during his absence from the country. He said the preacher has not responded to his request to clear the air on the sermon.

The RMC has also ordered the preacher to apologise within 48 hours. The police have been tasked to investigate the preacher over public incitement.