Burkina Faso Tries to Suppress Freedom of the Press Amid Growing Security Crisis and Political Instability

In July 2023, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin met with the interim leader of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. This meeting took place amid growing tensions in the African country, particularly regarding freedom of the press.

The government of Burkina Faso recently suspended two British radio stations, BBC and Voice of America, for two weeks after they reported on a report by NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) detailing mass executions carried out by the country’s army. The HRW report stated that 223 civilians, including 56 children, were killed by the army in villages accused of collaborating with militants.

This move was seen as an attempt to suppress information and control the narrative surrounding alleged human rights abuses in Burkina Faso. The government also issued warnings to other press organizations against publishing information related to the HRW report.

Burkina Faso has been facing a security crisis since 2015, with jihadist groups and power struggles leading to the deaths of over 20,000 people and the displacement of more than 2 million Burkinabés. The country has experienced political instability, including two coups d’état in 2022, further exacerbating the situation.

In response to the security crisis, Burkina Faso has distanced itself from its former colonial power, France