Burkina Faso’s deepening media crackdown: French journalists ordered to leave

In a significant blow to press freedom within Burkina Faso, the nation’s transitional military government has expelled two French journalists, Agnès Faivre of Libération and Sophie Douce of Le Monde. Both reporters possessed valid visas and official accreditations.

According to reports from both newspapers, national intelligence agents summoned and questioned the journalists in Ouagadougou, the capital, on March 31 regarding their professional activities. They were subsequently given 24 hours to depart the country, with no official reason provided for their expulsion.

In an editorial, Libération stated that the decision to expel its correspondent was “unjustified” and linked to her investigation published on March 27. This report concerned a video allegedly filmed at a military barracks in Ouahigouya, Yatenga province, depicting children’s bodies on the ground in the presence of individuals appearing to wear Burkinabè military uniforms. Le Monde labeled these expulsions as “unacceptable” and strongly condemned this “arbitrary decision.”

The removal of these two journalists represents the latest in a series of assaults on freedom of expression and media in Burkina Faso. This follows the suspension of the French international news channel France 24 on March 27, and the earlier suspension of French international radio station Radio France Internationale (RFI) on December 3, 2022. Both broadcasters were accused by the Burkinabè government of disseminating false information.

“The junta is inflicting irreparable damage on freedom of expression in this country,” commented Daouda Diallo, a prominent Burkinabè human rights activist and 2022 Martin Ennals Award laureate. “Journalism is not a crime and should cease to be a dangerous profession in Burkina Faso.”

Both local and international journalists and media organizations in Burkina Faso are increasingly subjected to harassment, threats, and arbitrary arrests. This pattern reveals a clear attempt by the military junta to suppress independent and critical news sources across the nation.

As Burkina Faso grapples with an armed conflict involving Islamist armed groups, journalists must be able to operate freely, without fear of retribution. The transitional military authorities should reverse their decision, allowing Agnès Faivre and Sophie Douce to return. Crucially, authorities must remove existing barriers that impede the vital work of journalists, who are essential for informing and educating the Burkinabè populace.

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