1 week Ago By Torkwase Nyiekaa
The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) has issued a strong call for the immediate release of three journalists in Burkina Faso who were detained and allegedly forced into military service by the country’s authorities. Those held are Guezouma Sanogo, President of the Association of Burkinabe Journalists (AJB); his deputy, Boukari Ouoba; and Luc Pagbelguem, a reporter with the private broadcaster BF1. The trio was apprehended by intelligence agents under the National Security Council on March 24, following their public criticism of growing media repression during the AJB Congress.
Sanogo and Ouoba had raised alarms over the shrinking space for press freedom in the country. Their comments during the congress reportedly triggered their arrest. Pagbelguem was detained shortly afterward, apparently in connection with BF1’s coverage of the event, which also featured Sanogo’s call for the release of four other journalists abducted earlier and allegedly drafted into military service.
The situation escalated last week when a disturbing video emerged online, showing the three journalists in military gear, surrounded by armed men wearing Burkinabe military uniforms, in an undisclosed location. CAJ President Christopher Isiguzo condemned the actions of the Burkinabe authorities, describing the forced conscription of journalists as unacceptable and a grave violation of press freedom. “We demand the immediate release of these journalists and call on the authorities in Burkina Faso to respect the rights of media professionals to carry out their duties without fear or interference,” Isiguzo said.
He also decried the suspension of AJB’s operations and warned that such oppressive tactics are driving fear and self-censorship among journalists in the country. According to Isiguzo, these measures are not only undermining media freedom but also the public’s right to information. In addition to the current detainees, the CAJ is also demanding the release of three other journalists, Serge Oulon, editor-in-chief of L’Evénement newspaper; Adama Bayala; and Kalifara Sere of BF1, who were reportedly abducted and conscripted into the army in 2024.
The government acknowledged their conscription in October, months after their disappearance in June. Meanwhile, the whereabouts of Alain Traore, a columnist for Omega Media who was taken by masked men in July 2024, remains unknown. Authorities have refused to disclose any information regarding his case.
The CAJ urged regional and international organizations to intervene and pressure the Burkinabe government to halt its ongoing clampdown on the media and safeguard journalists’ rights. Among those targeted is Newton Ahmed Barry, a well-known journalist who was recently named on a government list of individuals accused of having ties to a terrorist organization. The designation, made public on April 1, has raised alarm among media advocates.
The issue took center stage during the recent congress of the Association of Journalists of Burkina (AJB), where members voiced deep concern over the fate of missing journalists Bienvenue Apiou, James Yazid Dembele, and Mamadou Ali. Their unexplained disappearances have added to growing fears about the safety of media professionals operating within the country. The African Journalists’ Coalition (CAJ) has condemned the ongoing repression and is keeping a close watch on developments.
The coalition is urging international organizations and human rights bodies to take urgent action by pressuring the Burkinabe authorities to uphold press freedom and guarantee the protection and return of all affected journalists..
