CAJ demands immediate release of detained journalists in Burkina Faso

The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) has strongly condemned the detention and forced conscription of three journalists in Burkina Faso, calling for their immediate and unconditional release.

The detained journalists—Guezouma Sanogo, President of the Association of Burkinabe Journalists (AJB); his deputy, Boukari Ouoba; and Luc Pagbelguem, a reporter for the private television station BFI—were arrested on March 24 by operatives of the National Security Council.

Sanogo and Ouoba were reportedly detained following their outspoken criticism of the deteriorating state of press freedom during the AJB Congress. Pagbelguem was arrested shortly after his outlet covered the congress, during which Sanogo also called for the release of four other journalists abducted and conscripted into the military earlier in 2024.

The CAJ described the arrests as a dangerous escalation in the crackdown on free speech and media independence in Burkina Faso, warning that such actions set a troubling precedent for press freedom across the continent.

A video surfaced online last week showing the three journalists in military uniforms in an undisclosed location, flanked by armed men in Burkinabe army uniforms. The CAJ has strongly condemned the actions of the Burkinabe authorities, urging them to release the journalists immediately and uphold press freedom.

“We call on the Burkinabe authorities to immediately release the detained journalists and ensure journalists and media outlets can operate freely,” said Christopher Isiguzo, president of CAJ.
He expressed deep concern over the growing crackdown on journalists and media outlets in Burkina Faso, which has included suspending AJB’s operations.

Isiguzo also highlighted the detrimental effect this crackdown is having on press freedom, warning that it fosters fear and self-censorship among journalists, thereby undermining the fundamental right to freedom of expression and access to information.

The CAJ president further called for the release of three other journalists forcibly conscripted into the army in 2024: Serge Oulon, editor-in-chief of L’Evénement newspaper, Adama Bayala, and Kalifara Sere from BF1, a private TV channel. These individuals went missing in June 2024, with the authorities confirming their conscription in October of that year. The fate of Alain Traore, a columnist with Omega Media, remains unknown, as he was seized by masked gunmen in July 2024, with the authorities refusing to comment on his whereabouts.

As the repression intensifies, many journalists have fled the country, fearing arrest and forced conscription. Notably, Newton Ahmed Barry, a prominent journalist, was placed on a list of individuals “wanted for association with a terrorist organization” by the Burkinabe authorities on April 1.

During the AJB Congress, additional concerns were raised regarding the disappearances of journalists Bienvenue Apiou, James Yazid Dembele, and Mamadou Ali, highlighting the ongoing threat to press freedom in Burkina Faso.

The CAJ continues to monitor the situation closely, calling on international bodies to exert pressure on the Burkinabe government to respect the rights of journalists and ensure their safe return.