** The twilight of press freedom in Burkina Faso: an alarming situation at the time of censure **
The recent arrest of three influential journalists in Burkina Faso – Guezouma Sanogo, Boukari Ouba and Luc Pagbelguem – underlines a dark turning point in the media landscape of this West African country, already undermined by political disorders and armed conflicts. This series of events does not only represent an attack on individuals, but also a direct threat to freedom of expression and to democracy as a whole.
** Context: an explosive cocktail of security and repression challenges **
Since the coups d’etat that have shaken Burkina Faso in recent years, the transition to military governance has been accompanied by a series of repression actions which aim to stifle any critical voice. The dissolution of the Burkina Faso journalists’ association, which immediately followed the arrest of the three journalists, highlights a worrying dynamic. According to the observations of Human Rights Watch (HRW), not only journalists are threatened, but it is freedom of the press as an institution that is at stake.
To understand the severity of the situation, it is essential to replace it in a broader context. Over the past four years, Burkina Faso, just like Mali and Niger, has seen an inexorable rise in authoritarian votes in power. This phenomenon is not limited to a single country, but is part of a regional movement where the support of entities such as the Wagner group has made it possible to legitimize the governments in place while creating an impunity environment.
** The influence of new alliances on press freedom: a shared risk? **
The alliance formed by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger (Alliance of the States of the Sahel – AES) not only caused a withdrawal of relations with established organizations such as ECOWAS, but also sought to establish a nationalist narrative jeopardizing the media openness. By aligning themselves on external powers, such as Wagner militias, these countries have often justified their necessary repression by the desire to fight against terrorism.
However, in parallel, the statistics of the Armed Conflict Rental and Event Data Project reveal an escalation of the deaths of civilians due to violence, thus contradicting the promises and justifications of governments. A comparative study of civil health indicators in these countries before and after the state kicks could give an overview of the disastrous consequences of this transition.
** A extinct voice, an echo for the world: the importance of international solidarity **
The reality of Burkinabé journalists victims of repression should arouse a reaction not only local, but also international. The forced departure of many journalists, who is confiscated their right to express themselves freely, raises the question of an international community, sleeping in the face of an increasing loss of humanity standards in a world where press freedom is often considered to be acquired.
International organizations must react, but this also requires mobilization of citizens and pressure continuously exerted on governments. A citizen initiative, similar to that which called for the support of journalists in Turkey or Russia, could make it possible to build a solidarity movement which reminds the Burkinabé authorities that they cannot act with impunity.
** Conclusion: the challenges of press freedom in Burkina Faso and beyond **
The current situation in Burkina Faso is an effective warning on the dangers of a unique discourse and a stringent government control over the media. The case of imprisoned journalists must be interpreted as a call for vigilance and commitment to the defense of human rights generally. If the repression of the press continues, it will not only erode the very fabric of Burkinabe democracy, but could also inspire similar movements in other nations abused by authoritarianism.
It is imperative that we did not stay our arms crossed in the face of this degradation. Beyond solidarity with imprisoned journalists, it is a fight for the safeguarding of democratic values that is at stake-a fight that deserves our attention and our action.