In a significant blow to media freedom in Burkina Faso, the nation’s transitional military authorities have expelled two prominent French journalists. Agnès Faivre, a correspondent for Libération, and Sophie Douce, reporting for Le Monde, were both asked to leave the country despite possessing valid visas and press accreditations.
According to reports from both French newspapers, national intelligence agents summoned and questioned the two journalists about their work on March 31 in Ouagadougou, the capital city. They were subsequently given a 24-hour ultimatum to depart Burkina Faso, with no official reason provided for their expulsion.
In an editorial, Libération characterized the decision to expel its correspondent as “unjustified,” suggesting a direct link to her investigation published on March 27. This inquiry focused on a video allegedly filmed at a military barracks in Ouahigouya, Yatenga province, depicting children’s bodies on the ground in the presence of individuals appearing to wear Burkinabè military uniforms. Le Monde similarly condemned these expulsions as “unacceptable” and “arbitrary,” expressing strong disapproval of the military government’s actions.
The expulsion of these two dedicated journalists represents the latest incident in a troubling pattern of restrictions on freedom of expression and media operations within Burkina Faso. This event follows the suspension of the French international news channel France 24 on March 27, and the earlier discontinuation of Radio France Internationale (RFI) broadcasts on December 3, 2022. In both instances, the Burkinabè government accused these outlets of disseminating false news.
“The junta is inflicting irreparable damage on freedom of expression in this nation,” stated Daouda Diallo, a distinguished Burkinabè human rights activist and 2022 Martin Ennals Award laureate. “Journalism is not a crime, and it should cease to be a perilous profession in Burkina Faso.”
Both local and international journalists and news organizations operating in Burkina Faso are increasingly facing harassment, threats, and arbitrary arrests. This escalating pressure is a clear attempt by the military junta to suppress independent and critical news reporting across the country.
As Burkina Faso grapples with an armed conflict involving Islamist militant groups, it is more crucial than ever for journalists to operate without fear of reprisal. The transitional military authorities should immediately reverse their decision, allowing Agnès Faivre and Sophie Douce to return. Crucially, they must remove all existing barriers that impede the vital work of journalists who strive to inform and educate the Burkinabè populace.
