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By Tracy Moses
The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) has condemned the detention of three Burkinabe journalists, and called for their immediate release after they were allegedly forced into military service by the country’s authorities.
The detained journalists are Guezouma Sanogo, President of the Association of Burkinabe Journalists (AJB), his deputy Boukari Ouoba, and Luc Pagbelguem, a reporter for the private broadcaster BF1.
They were arrested on March 24 by agents from the National Security Council after publicly criticizing the increasing repression of the media during the AJB Congress.
Sanogo and Ouoba had expressed concerns about the growing restrictions on press freedom in Burkina Faso, which reportedly led to their arrest. Pagbelguem was detained shortly thereafter, likely due to his station’s coverage of the AJB Congress and Sanogo’s public demand for the release of four other journalists who had been previously abducted and allegedly forced 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, 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 union also 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 has brought to light mounting concerns over the disappearance of three journalists: Bienvenue Apiou, James Yazid Dembele, and Mamadou Ali. Their sudden and unexplained absences have raised alarm among media professionals, with many expressing fears for their safety while working in the country.