Burkina Faso Suspends BBC and VOA Broadcasts

Burkina Faso has taken action against the radio broadcasts of BBC Africa and Voice of America (VOA), both funded by the UK and US respectively, due to their coverage of a report accusing the country’s army of mass executions.

The authorities have suspended the broadcasts and banned the websites of these organizations for a period of two weeks. Human Rights Watch (HRW), a US-based group, published a report alleging that the Burkinabe military forces had summarily executed over 200 civilians, including children, in two villages in February.

HRW has called for an investigation into these massacres, stating that the army has committed mass atrocities against civilians in the name of counterterrorism. Burkina Faso’s communication council has criticized the report, claiming that it contains biased statements against the army that could incite public disorder.

The council has also warned other media outlets against reporting on the matter. Despite these actions, both the BBC and VOA have expressed their intention to continue covering events in the country. Burkina Faso, a former French colony, is currently under military rule led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, who seized power in a coup in September 2022.

The country, along with other Sahel nations, has been grappling with Al-Qaeda-linked insurgent groups that have been carrying out frequent attacks.

The Sahel region alone has witnessed the deaths of at least 7,800 civilians in the first seven months of 2023, according to reported figures.