CAJ Urges Immediate Release of Detained Journalists in Burkina Faso.
By Raymond Enoch
The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) has called for the immediate release of three journalists detained in Burkina Faso and forcibly conscripted into the armed forces. The journalists—Guezouma Sanogo, president of the Association of Burkinabe Journalists (AJB), his deputy Boukari Ouoba, and Luc Pagbelguem, a reporter for the private TV station BFI—were arrested by National Security Council intelligence officers on March 24.
Sanogo and Ouoba’s detention followed their vocal criticism of the increasing violations of press freedom during the AJB Congress. Pagbelguem’s arrest came after his media outlet’s coverage of the congress, where Sanogo also advocated for the release of four other journalists who had been abducted and conscripted into the army in 2024.
A video surfaced last week showing the three journalists in military uniforms, accompanied by armed men in Burkinabe army uniforms at an undisclosed location. The CAJ has strongly condemned the actions of the Burkinabe authorities, calling for the journalists’ immediate release and a return to press freedom.
“We call on the Burkinabe authorities to immediately release the detained journalists and ensure journalists and media outlets can operate freely,” said Christopher Isiguzo, president of CAJ. Isiguzo expressed deep concern over the growing repression of journalists and media outlets in Burkina Faso, which has included suspending AJB’s operations.
He emphasized the damaging impact this crackdown has on press freedom, fostering fear and self-censorship among journalists. This, Isiguzo warned, undermines the fundamental right to freedom of expression and access to information.
The CAJ president also demanded the release of three other journalists forcibly conscripted into the army in 2024: Serge Oulon, editor-in-chief of L’Evénement newspaper; Adama Bayala; and Kalifara Sere from BF1, a private TV channel. These individuals went missing in June 2024, with authorities confirming their conscription in October of that year. The fate of Alain Traore, a columnist with Omega Media, remains unknown after he was seized by masked gunmen in July 2024. The authorities have refused to comment on his whereabouts.
As the repression intensifies, many journalists have fled the country, fearing arrest and forced conscription. Notably, Newton Ahmed Barry, a prominent journalist, was placed on a list of individuals “wanted for association with a terrorist organization” by the Burkinabe authorities on April 1.
Additional concerns were raised during the AJB Congress regarding the disappearances of journalists Bienvenue Apiou, James Yazid Dembele, and Mamadou Ali, further highlighting the ongoing threat to press freedom in Burkina Faso.
The CAJ continues to monitor the situation closely, calling on international bodies to exert pressure on the Burkinabe government to respect the rights of journalists and ensure their safe return.
