Burkina Faso’s military government expels two French journalists amid press freedom crackdown
In a significant setback for freedom of information in Burkina Faso, the nation’s transitional military authorities have expelled two prominent French journalists, Agnès Faivre of Libération and Sophie Douce of Le Monde. Both reporters possessed valid visas and official press accreditations, highlighting the arbitrary nature of the decision.
According to reports from both French newspapers, national intelligence agents summoned and interrogated the journalists about their work on March 31 in Ouagadougou, the capital city. They were subsequently given a mere 24 hours to depart the country, with no official justification provided for their expulsion.
Libération, in an editorial, asserted that the decision to expel its correspondent was “unjustified” and directly linked to Faivre’s investigation published on March 27. This inquiry focused on a disturbing video allegedly filmed at a military barracks in Ouahigouya, Yatenga province, depicting the bodies of children on the ground alongside individuals in what appeared to be Burkinabè military uniforms. Le Monde denounced these expulsions as “unacceptable,” condemning the “arbitrary decision with the utmost firmness.”
The forced departure of these two journalists marks the latest in a series of escalating attacks on media and expression freedoms within Burkina Faso. This follows the suspension of the international French news channel France 24 on March 27, and prior to that, the halt of Radio France Internationale (RFI) broadcasts on December 3, 2022. Both outlets were accused by the Burkinabè government of disseminating false news.
“The junta is inflicting irreparable damage on freedom of expression in this country,” stated Daouda Diallo, a distinguished Burkinabè human rights activist and recipient of the 2022 Martin Ennals Award, a prestigious honor for human rights defenders. “Journalism is not a crime, and it should cease to be a dangerous profession in Burkina Faso.”
Both local and international journalists and news organizations operating in Burkina Faso are increasingly subjected to harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests. This pattern reflects a clear attempt by the military junta to silence independent and critical sources of information across the nation.
As Burkina Faso grapples with an armed conflict against Islamist armed groups, it is imperative that journalists are able to operate freely without fear of reprisal. The transitional military authorities should immediately reverse their decision, allowing Agnès Faivre and Sophie Douce to return to the country. Crucially, authorities must dismantle the barriers that impede the vital work of journalists who serve to inform and educate the Burkinabè populace.
