Burkina Faso’s military government has suspended US-funded broadcaster Voice of America (VOA) for three months, accusing it of broadcasting comments that undermine the country’s fight against the militant insurgency in the Sahel region. The authorities have also imposed a temporary ban on local news outlets from using any reports by international media, according to a statement released on Monday.
The decision comes as the junta, which seized power in a coup in September 2022, has grown increasingly intolerant of media criticism. Despite their promises to quell the ongoing insurgency, insecurity in the country continues to worsen. The suspension and media ban follow a VOA broadcast on September 19, which allegedly demoralised troops in Burkina Faso and neighbouring Mali.
In the broadcast, the reporter described a militant attack on Mali’s capital Bamako as ‘courageous’ and criticised security operations. The broadcast also reportedly included an inaccurate death toll from an August attack in Burkina Faso that killed hundreds. The Superior Council for Communication (CSC) condemned the broadcast, accusing VOA of undermining the morale of the country’s forces.
The CSC also announced a ban on all national media from synchronising content with international outlets until further notice, affecting local access to international reports.
Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, has been battling a violent insurgency linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State since 2012. The failure to contain the insurgency has contributed to multiple coups in these nations over the past few years, with military leaders becoming increasingly authoritarian in response to rising insecurity.
Earlier this year, Burkina Faso briefly suspended other international media, including the BBC and France’s RFI, for their coverage of army abuses, which the government has denied. VOA is yet to comment on the recent suspension.
