The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) has strongly condemned the arrest and forced conscription of three journalists by Burkinabe authorities, calling for their immediate and unconditional release.
The detained journalists Guezouma Sanogo, President of the Association of Burkinabe Journalists (AJB); his deputy, Boukari Ouoba; and Luc Pagbelguem, a reporter with private television station BF1 were arrested on March 24 by officers of the National Security Council’s intelligence unit. Sanogo and Ouoba were targeted shortly after speaking out against rising press freedom violations during the AJB Congress, while Pagbelguem was arrested following BF1’s coverage of the event.
A video that surfaced online last week showed the three journalists in military uniforms at an undisclosed location, flanked by armed men wearing Burkinabe army fatigues evidence that the journalists have been forcibly conscripted into the military.
CAJ President, Christopher Isiguzo, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of press freedom in Burkina Faso. “We call on the Burkinabe authorities to immediately release the detained journalists and allow the media to operate freely without fear or intimidation,” he stated.
He further condemned the suspension of AJB operations and the increasing harassment of journalists, warning that such actions are creating a climate of fear and self-censorship that undermines democracy and access to information.
CAJ also renewed its call for the release of three other journalists Serge Oulon, Editor-in-Chief of L’Evénement newspaper; Adama Bayala; and Kalifara Sere of BF1 who were abducted and conscripted into the army in 2024. Their disappearance in June 2024 was later confirmed by authorities in October, yet their current status remains unclear.
The fate of another journalist, Alain Traore, a columnist with Omega Media, also remained unknown after he was abducted by masked gunmen in July 2024. Authorities have yet to respond to inquiries regarding his whereabouts.
Amid the rising crackdown, many journalists have fled Burkina Faso to avoid persecution. Notably, renowned journalist Newton Ahmed Barry was declared wanted by the government on April 1 for alleged links to a terrorist organization.
During the AJB Congress, further concerns were raised over the unresolved disappearances of journalists Bienvenue Apiou, James Yazid Dembele, and Mamadou Ali, reinforcing fears of a systematic assault on press freedom.
The CAJ urged international organizations and human rights bodies to increase pressure on the Burkinabe government to respect journalistic freedoms, ensure the safety of media workers, and secure the release of all detained journalists.
