Burkina Faso Expands Media Ban Over Alleged Massacre Reporting

Authorities in Burkina Faso have extended their crackdown on foreign media outlets following coverage of an alleged massacre by the Burkinabe army. The Guardian, Le Monde, and others were suspended from operating in the country, joining the BBC, Voice of America, and Human Rights Watch, which were barred last week.

The move came after HRW accused Burkinabe troops of killing over 200 civilians, including children, in attacks on villages near the Mali border. The government denounced the media coverage as an attempt to discredit the army.

Reporters Without Borders condemned the suspensions, labeling them as “grave and abusive decisions.” Meanwhile, Burkina Faso’s communications minister dismissed HRW’s report as baseless, fueling tensions between the military junta and media organizations.

The crackdown on media follows the rise to power of Ibrahim Traoré, Africa’s youngest leader, in a 2022 coup. French media, in particular, have been targeted amid strained relations between France and its former colonies.

Burkina Faso has been grappling with insurgent violence since 2015, leading to political instability and displacement of millions. Despite a change in leadership, the conflict persists, with thousands of deaths reported annually.

The government’s actions underscore the challenges in addressing human rights abuses and media freedoms amid ongoing conflict in the Sahel region.