Burkina Faso’s military government has suspended the US-funded broadcaster, Voice of America (VOA), for three months. The move, announced on Monday, comes amid intensifying government censorship in the face of ongoing militant insurgencies in the Sahel region.
The suspension comes after a controversial discussion aired on VOA on September 19, where participants made comments about the security situation in Burkina Faso and its neighbouring countries. The Superior Council for Communication (CSC) accused the broadcaster of undermining the morale of troops in both Burkina Faso and Mali. The council specifically objected to a description of a recent attack in Bamako as “courageous” and said VOA’s coverage was unfairly critical of security operations.
The CSC announced, “All synchronisation of national media with international media is suspended until further notice.” Local outlets cannot use international news sources during this suspension period. VOA has not yet commented on the matter.
Junta Faces Rising Criticism
Burkina Faso’s military junta, which seized power in September 2022 in the country’s second coup that year, has grown increasingly intolerant of criticism as the security situation in the country worsens. The military had initially promised to improve safety and combat insurgent groups, but mounting frustration over their inability to protect civilians has left the government vulnerable to both internal and external criticism.
The insurgency, driven by militant groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS, has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions in the region. Despite early pledges to secure Burkina Faso from the escalating violence, the military government has struggled to make headway.
This frustration was evident in the CSC’s rebuke of VOA, which also criticized the broadcaster for reporting an unverified death toll from an August attack in Burkina Faso that left numerous fatalities. The criticism reflects a broader sense of tension between the military government and the media.
Broader Crackdown on Media
The VOA suspension is not an isolated incident but part of a broader clampdown on media freedoms in Burkina Faso. Earlier this year, the junta temporarily suspended VOA and other international broadcasters, including BBC Africa, after a Human Rights Watch report alleged the Burkinabe military was involved in extrajudicial killings. The government strongly denied these claims.
In September, Burkina Faso also revoked the radio frequencies of France’s Radio France Internationale (RFI), another major international broadcaster that has extensively covered the region. No explanation was provided for this action, but it signals a growing hostility towards foreign media outlets reporting on the country’s insecurity.
Sahel Region’s Growing Instability
Burkina Faso is one of several nations in the Sahel struggling with insurgent violence, which has been spreading from neighboring Mali since 2012. The region’s instability has led to multiple military coups, with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger all witnessing government overthrows since 2020, primarily fueled by public dissatisfaction over the inability to contain insurgent groups.
The insurgency has continued to expand despite international efforts, leading to calls for a reevaluation of security strategies in the region. However, as the military governments in the Sahel face growing criticism, media freedoms have increasingly come under threat.
The situation in Burkina Faso, marked by the suspension of major international media outlets, reflects a wider trend of declining press freedom across the region. While the military government continues to promise improved security, it is also clamping down on critical voices, further complicating the path to peace and stability.
As the Sahel struggles with both insurgency and political instability, the freedom to report on these issues is becoming increasingly restricted.