by Burkina Faso has taken the step of suspending broadcasts from both the BBC and Voice of America radio networks following the airing of a report alleging military attacks on civilians in the country’s fight against jihadists. This decision marks the latest move against international media outlets since Captain Ibrahim Traore’s coup in September 2022.
Announced late Thursday by Burkina’s communications authority, the CSC, the suspension will last for a period of two weeks. The authority cited the airing and digital publication of a report by BBC Africa and VOA, accusing the Burkinabe army of civilian abuses, as the reason behind the decision. According to the CSC, the report was deemed to contain “hasty and biased declarations without tangible proof against the Burkinabe army.”
International NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) added to the discourse, reporting on Thursday that Burkina Faso’s soldiers had allegedly killed at least 223 villagers, including 56 children, in two retaliatory attacks on February 25 in the jihadist-afflicted north.
Burkinabe authorities have refrained from commenting on the accusations thus far. Since the onset of a jihadist insurgency in 2015, following incursions from neighboring Mali, Burkina Faso has been contending with attacks from groups associated with Al-Qaeda and Islamic State, resulting in approximately 20,000 fatalities and displacement of around two million people.
In response to the suspension, VOA expressed its efforts to obtain reactions from several Burkinabe officials regarding the HRW report but received no response. VOA affirmed its commitment to providing comprehensive coverage of activities within the country.
The United Nations Human Rights Office voiced its apprehension regarding the suspension, emphasizing the importance of media freedom and access to information, particularly during Burkina Faso’s transitional phase.
The CSC has instructed internet service providers to suspend access to BBC, VOA, and HRW digital platforms within Burkinabe territory, citing concerns over disinformation that could tarnish the reputation of the Burkinabe army and disrupt public order. Media outlets have been warned against carrying the article, with sanctions threatened for non-compliance.
This move follows previous actions taken against French media outlets, underscoring a broader trend of media restrictions under Traore’s junta. The suspension of Jeune Afrique, LCI, France 24, and Radio France Internationale, along with the expulsion of correspondents from Liberation and Le Monde, reflect a concerning pattern of media censorship, drawing criticism from media watchdogs for violating the right to information.
