Open letter for the protection of journalists and defense of freedom of expression and press freedom in Mali and Burkina Faso

• His Excellency, President of the African Union
• His Excellency, President of the ECOWAS Authority
• His Excellency, President of the West African Economic and Monetary Union
• President of the African Union Commission
• President of the ECOWAS Commission
• President of the West African Economic and Monetary Union Commission
• President of the Pan-African Parliament
• UN Secretary-General
• President of the UN Human Rights Council
• UNESCO Director-General
• International Organisation of La Francophonie Secretary-General
• Presidents of Media Regulatory Authorities of ECOWAS member states
• President of the Francophone Media Regulators Network
• President of the Audiovisual Regulators Platform of WAEMU and Guinea
• ECOWAS Communication Ministers
• President of the African Broadcasting Union

Recent events paint a grim picture: death threats against journalists and opinion leaders, violent crackdowns on domestic media, fabricated smear campaigns, suspensions of international broadcasters RFI and France 24, deportations of French newspaper correspondents, and government bans on independent media in Burkina Faso. These measures directly undermine citizens’ fundamental right to information.

In Mali, the situation has deteriorated rapidly: the Bamako Press House was ransacked on February 20, 2023. On March 13, radio host Mohamed Youssouf Bathily (Ras Bath) was imprisoned for criticizing the alleged assassination of former Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga. On March 15, activist Rokia Doumbia was arrested for discussing price hikes and transitional failures. On April 6, journalist Aliou Touré was abducted by armed men and held for four days. International media have also faced severe restrictions: Jeune Afrique reporter was expelled in February 2022, and RFI and France 24 were banned nationwide in March 2022. In late 2022, Joliba TV was suspended by Mali’s High Authority of Communication for airing editorials critical of authorities.

Social media amplifies these attacks through coordinated disinformation campaigns by pro-regime influencers who routinely issue death threats against independent journalists. As L’Observateur Paalga warns, this has created a climate of terror where factual reporting is drowned out by deliberate misinformation, depriving Malian and Burkinabè citizens of meaningful democratic debate.

Despite grave security challenges, journalists continue their vital work to inform the public while navigating complex political and geopolitical landscapes. They, too, suffer the consequences of insecurity and desperately seek peace. However, counter-terrorism efforts must never justify restricting fundamental rights or stifling access to professional, independent media—rights clearly protected under international law.

The situation has become so dire in Burkina Faso that even the national media regulator has sounded the alarm. In a March 29, 2023 statement, the Superior Council of Communication “expressed regret over the recurrence of threats against media outlets and journalists”, urging authorities to “implement appropriate measures to ensure the safety of media professionals”. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has also expressed deep concern, stating that “during this transition period, protecting independent voices is more critical than ever”.

In Mali, UN Independent Expert Alioune Tine has highlighted his “extreme concern over the shrinking civic space, freedom of expression, and association”. Against this backdrop, the signatories of this open letter:

• Urge authorities in both countries to immediately cease all measures violating press freedom
• Highlight the lack of protection from security forces and judicial silence regarding death threats and intimidation campaigns, calling for urgent action from prosecutors and judicial police
• Demand guarantees for the safety and security of all media professionals facing threats, intimidation, harassment, or physical attacks
• Call for impartial, thorough, and independent investigations into abuses against journalists to identify and prosecute perpetrators
• Urge compliance with international obligations on freedom of expression and press freedom, particularly the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
• Call on national, regional, and international leaders to support this initiative, emphasizing that access to information is a fundamental human right that must be defended and protected

May 2, 2023