AFRICA

Burkina Faso Expands Media Suspension Amid Coverage Of Killings

In a move stirring international concern, Burkina Faso has taken measures to suspend several Western and African media outlets for their coverage of a damning report by Human Rights Watch (HRW). The report implicates the Burkinabe army in alleged extrajudicial killings, fueling tensions in the West African nation already grappling with a surge in violence.

The suspensions come in the wake of similar actions taken against BBC Africa and Voice of America, both of which reported on HRW’s investigation. The report alleges that the Burkinabe military executed approximately 223 villagers in February, purportedly part of a crackdown on civilians accused of collaborating with jihadist militants.

In response, Burkina Faso’s communications council announced the suspension of French television network TV5Monde’s broadcasts for a two-week period, alongside the blocking of access to its website. Additionally, the websites of prominent international outlets such as German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, French newspapers Le Monde and Ouest-France, British newspaper The Guardian, and African agencies APA and Ecofin have been blocked until further notice.

Government spokesperson Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo rebuffed HRW’s allegations, labeling them as “peremptory” and asserting that authorities are committed to investigating the alleged atrocities.

Ouedraogo cited a statement by a regional prosecutor on March 1, indicating the initiation of a judicial investigation into the matter.

The escalating violence in the region is exacerbated by a conflict with Islamist groups associated with al Qaeda and Islamic State. The situation has further deteriorated since a series of coups rocked Burkina Faso and neighboring Mali and Niger from 2020 to 2023, resulting in a power vacuum that armed groups have exploited.

According to the U.S.-based crisis-monitoring group ACLED, Burkina Faso witnessed a sharp increase in deadly attacks in 2023, with over 8,000 reported casualties.

Melissa Enoch

Follow us on:

Melissa Enoch

Recent Posts

CAC Removes Innoson, Daitama, 80,000 Dormant Companies From Register For Ignoring Annual Return Deadlines

The CAC has removed dormant companies that failed to file annual reports for 10 years…

8 hours ago

NEC Gives Kwara, Kebbi, Adamawa One Week To Submit State Police Reports

NEC has set a one-week deadline for Kwara, Kebbi, and Adamawa to submit state police…

10 hours ago

Amazon Faces Potential EU Investigation Over Preferential Treatment Of Own Products

Amazon may face an EU investigation over preferential treatment of its own products under the…

10 hours ago

Akpabio Hails Igbo Resilience + Ndume Begs Senate To Allow Ubah’s Widow Succeed Him – Trending With Ojy Okpe

https://cdn.veri.app/a21afe40-c7c7-4a5c-b145-4fc72382ab4b.mp4 Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during the night of tribute, held in honour of the…

10 hours ago

Kano Governor Yusuf Reunites 76 Pardoned Minors To Families

The Kano State government has reunited 79 pardoned minors accused of looting in the #End…

10 hours ago

Matt Gaetz Steps Down as Trump’s Attorney General Pick

Matt Gaetz has announced that he is withdrawing his name from consideration as Donald Trump’s…

10 hours ago