In a recent blow to media freedom in Burkina Faso, the nation’s transitional military authorities have expelled two French journalists, Agnès Faivre and Sophie Douce. These reporters, representing the French dailies Libération and Le Monde respectively, possessed valid visas and accreditations at the time of their removal.
Reports from both newspapers indicate that on March 31, national intelligence agents in Ouagadougou, the capital, summoned and questioned the two journalists about their reporting. Subsequently, they were given a mere 24 hours to depart the country, with no official reason provided for their expulsion.
Libération, in an editorial, declared the decision to expel its correspondent “unjustified,” linking it to her March 27 investigation. This probe focused on a video allegedly filmed at a military barracks in Ouahigouya, Yatenga province, depicting children’s bodies on the ground alongside men in what appeared to be Burkinabè military uniforms. Le Monde similarly condemned these expulsions as “unacceptable,” strongly denouncing the “arbitrary decision.”
The removal of these two French journalists marks the latest in a series of assaults on freedom of expression and media freedom within Burkina Faso. This action follows the March 27 suspension of the French international news channel France 24 and, on December 3, 2022, the cessation of broadcasts by French international radio station Radio France Internationale (RFI). The Burkinabè government accused both broadcasters of disseminating false news.
Daouda Diallo, a prominent Burkinabè human rights activist and recipient of the esteemed 2022 Martin Ennals Award for human rights defenders, commented, “The junta is inflicting irreparable damage on freedom of expression in this country.” He emphasized, “Journalism is not a crime and should cease to be a perilous profession in Burkina Faso.”
Both local and international journalists and news organizations operating in Burkina Faso face escalating harassment, threats, and arbitrary arrests. This trend appears to be a blatant attempt by the military junta to silence independent and critical sources of information across the nation.
As Burkina Faso grapples with an ongoing armed conflict against Islamist armed groups, journalists must be allowed to perform their duties freely, without fear of reprisal. The transitional military authorities should revoke their decision, permitting Agnès Faivre and Sophie Douce to return. Crucially, authorities must remove all impediments hindering the vital work of journalists who inform and educate the Burkinabè populace.