Burkina Faso’s military junta has intensified its grip on media freedom, arresting three journalists on March 24, 2025, amidst a broader crackdown on dissent. Guezouma Sanogo and Boukari Ouoba, leaders of the Journalists Association, along with Luc Pagbelguem of BF1 television, were detained in Ouagadougou, sparking fears for their safety and potential enforced disappearance.
Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, described the arbitrary arrests as evidence of the junta’s desperation to control the narrative and suppress accountability for military abuses. The junta, under President Ibrahim Traoré, has systematically stifled free speech since seizing power, particularly as it navigates a spiralling Islamist insurgency.
The Journalists Association had vocalised concerns on March 21, condemning the government’s restrictions on expression. Shortly thereafter, Sanogo and Ouoba were apprehended by individuals masquerading as law enforcement, while Pagbelguem was targeted for covering the association’s press conference. Their fates remain uncertain, with colleagues struggling to obtain information from authorities.
This wave of arrests also saw Idrissa Barry, a political activist and journalist, detained on March 18. Just days earlier, his group spoke out against deadly attacks by government forces. High-profile journalist Serge Oulon and others were similarly arrested in 2024 but were only acknowledged to be conscripted into military service months later, their whereabouts still unknown.
In an alarming trend, Burkina Faso’s media regulator temporarily suspended several outlets for their coverage, including that of Human Rights Watch, further isolating journalists and limiting the public’s access to critical information. Those who dare to report face severe threats, prompting many to flee the country, reflecting a chilling climate for free expression.
The ongoing violence in Burkina Faso has received minimal attention from independent media, leading to grave concerns about accountability for outrages against civilians. As the situation deteriorates, voices within the country call for a turn towards a democratic framework that respects human rights. Ilaria Allegrozzi underscored the need for an independent media, urging the junta to alter its oppressive tactics towards journalists and dissenters.
Burkina Faso’s military junta has arrested three journalists in a crackdown on media freedom, raising concerns of enforced disappearances. Voices within the independent media have been systematically silenced since the junta took power, leading to widespread fear and international condemnation. The situation reflects a desperate attempt by the authorities to control the narrative amid escalating violence in the country. Urgent calls for the release of detained journalists and the need for independent media grow louder.
The ongoing suppression of media in Burkina Faso highlights an alarming trend of authoritarian control over free speech. Since the military junta’s rise to power, numerous journalists have been targeted, with many disappearing without a trace. The urgent call for independent journalism echoes amid a backdrop of increasing violence and civil unrest, signalling an urgent need for government accountability and respect for human rights.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
