VOA Suspended by Burkina Faso’s Military Junta Amid Political Strife

Amid rising political instability, Burkina Faso’s military junta has suspended Voice of America, signaling increased control over media in the West African nation.

Burkina Faso’s military government has temporarily suspended the US-funded broadcaster Voice of America (VOA) for a period of three months due to remarks relating to the ongoing militant insurgency in the Sahel region.

The suspension, which was announced on Monday, additionally enforces a temporary prohibition on local media utilizing international news reports.

The junta, which seized power in a coup in September 2022—the second that year—has demonstrated growing intolerance towards criticism as security issues deteriorate. Despite early pledges to address the insurgency, military leaders are encountering escalating frustration over their capacity to safeguard citizens.

The Superior Council for Communication (CSC) accused VOA of demoralizing Burkinabe and Malian troops in a discussion broadcast on September 19. The council took issue with the reporter describing a recent attack in Bamako as “courageous” and argued that security operations were criticized unjustly. Furthermore, the CSC referenced an unverified death toll from an August attack in Burkina Faso, which led to many casualties.

In its announcement, the CSC stated, “The synchronization of national media with international media is suspended until further notice.” VOA has not yet replied to requests for comments.

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Ongoing Challenges in the Sahel Region

Burkina Faso is among several Sahel countries dealing with violent insurgent groups connected to al-Qaeda and ISIS. These groups extended their reach from neighboring Mali starting in 2012, leading to thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions. Public discontent over the government’s inability to provide security has sparked military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger since 2020.

Earlier this year, Burkina Faso temporarily halted broadcasts from VOA and other international media outlets like BBC Africa. This move followed a Human Rights Watch report alleging that the military was involved in extrajudicial killings, an accusation denied by the government.

In September, the CSC also revoked France’s RFI radio frequencies, which is recognized for its Sahel coverage, without providing an explanation.

With media freedoms increasingly under threat, the situation in Burkina Faso exemplifies a wider trend of diminishing press freedom across the region.