Burkina Faso’s communications regulator, the CSC, has announced the suspension of several international news organizations indefinitely, as revealed in a recent statement. Among those affected are prominent outlets such as French newspaper Le Monde, British publication The Guardian, German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, and French broadcaster TV5 Monde. This action was taken in response to the reporting of a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report implicating the army in attacks on civilians during its operations against jihadists.
Additionally, the CSC identified other media entities, including French regional newspaper Ouest-France, APAnews, and Agence Ecofin, as being subject to suspension. Prior to this, the CSC had instructed internet service providers to block access to the BBC, VOA, and Human Rights Watch websites in Burkina Faso for a two-week period. The military leadership of Burkina Faso has refuted the allegations made by HRW, labeling them as “baseless.” According to Communications Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, legal inquiries have been initiated into the incidents cited in the report, emphasizing that HRW’s premature conclusions undermine the ongoing investigation process.
The statement from Burkina Faso expresses astonishment at HRW’s assertions, given the ongoing legal inquiries to ascertain the facts and culpability. HRW characterized the events as one of the most egregious instances of army misconduct in Burkina Faso since 2015, suggesting that they may constitute crimes against humanity. Burkina Faso’s statement alleges that the media coverage surrounding these accusations is aimed at discrediting the nation’s armed forces.
Burkina Faso has been grappling with a jihadist insurgency since 2015, originating from neighboring Mali. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, with internal discontent within the military leading to two coups in 2022.
