Politics

Calls grow for protection of journalists in Burkina Faso, Mali

Published

2 years ago

May 3, 2023

In the face of continued threats against media in the West African sub-region, journalists’ bodies and other advocacy groups are asking for improved security for journalists in Mali and Burkina Faso.

The body of media outlets, in an open letter, stated that the situation of journalists in Burkina Faso had become “critical” and demanded urgent action taken.

Some of the signatories to the letter include Burkinabe media outlets, the Malian television station, Joliba, the French media, France 24, Libération, Le Monde, and Radio France Internationale, as well as journalists’ associations and rights organizations.

The body said it was surprised about “calls for the murder of journalists and opinion leaders, threats and intimidation of the national press, grotesque set-ups against journalists, suspension of the international media RFI and France 24 the expulsion of correspondents from the French newspapers Libération and Le Monde”.

The letter stated that a similar situation occurred in Mali where “pressure and intimidation” were on the increase against journalists and media outlets.

“The fight against terrorism must never be used as a pretext for imposing a new information standard,” they say, referring to the spread of jihadism and all kinds of violence facing the two Sahelian countries.

But, increasingly, the attacks are also the work of “influencers” who, on social networks, “play vigilante and do not hesitate to threaten journalists and opinion leaders who are too independent in their eyes with death,” they add.

The West Africa sub-region has witnessed a series of military coups in recent years, specifically in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso.

The coup wave in the sub-region has triggered demonstrations that have been dealt with with stiff measures by the ruling government, arrest of journalists and shutting of local media outlets, as well as the expulsion of some foreign media.

Related Topics:Burkina Faso Featured Mali Press freedom

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Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In a diplomatic spat over their imprisonment, France and Morocco announced Thursday that four French nationals detained in Burkina Faso for a year had been freed after mediation from Morocco.

They were spies, according to a prior statement made by the director of France’s foreign intelligence organisation, the DGSE.

A request for comment was not answered by the DGSE or a representative of the French military, which is in charge of the agency.

Since December 2023, they have been held in Ouagadougou.

President Emmanuel Macron hailed King Mohammed of Morocco on Wednesday for his intervention, “which made possible the liberation of our four countrymen who had been held in Burkina Faso for a year,” according to a statement from the French administration.

King Mohammed and President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso were also commended by Morocco’s foreign ministry, which stated that “this humanitarian act” was made possible by their positive bilateral ties.

In October, France made peace with Morocco, one of its former protectorates, after three years of hostilities between Paris and Rabat stoked by immigration concerns and the disputed Western Sahara region.

Morocco offers Burkina Faso and other military-ruled Sahel republics Atlantic trade.

However, France’s relations with former West and Central African colonies, such as Burkina Faso, remain difficult. In Ouagadougou, French troops and diplomats were ejected, the defence attache and ambassador were asked to depart, and certain French media were suspended.

The military junta that took control in 2022 in Burkina Faso has been criticized by international rights groups for cracking down on free expression and harassing dissidents to handle a security crisis precipitated by Al Qaeda and Islamic State extremists.

Politics

Ghana: President-elect Mahama appoints anti-corruption team

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to a statement released by his transition team on Wednesday, Ghana’s President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, has designated an anti-corruption committee to investigate allegations of wrongdoing.

When he takes office next month, Mahama, the leading opposition candidate in the presidential election held on December 7 and who received almost 56% of the vote, has pledged to reclaim the proceeds of corruption and hold those responsible for it accountable.

In anticipation, an anti-graft squad has been established. The parliament’s Committee on Assurances, which has previously raised suspicions of governmental corruption, is chaired by MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah.

An investigative journalist, a private attorney, a former auditor general, and a former police officer with experience in high-profile robbery cases make up the other three members.

After looking into alleged financial irregularities that took place during the previous administration, Daniel Dumelovo, the former auditor general, was fired.

Recovering lost assets and fighting corruption were two of Mahama’s main campaign pledges.

“He intends to hit the ground running on these commitments,” the statement said.

Eight years after leaving office, former President Mahama is back to head the West African country. Despite not being personally contaminated, he faced criticism during his 2012–2016 administration due to claims of political corruption.