Burkina Faso: Government Expels Two French Journalists Without Cause - Military Regime Should Cease Targeting Press
Location: Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou
Date: April 4, 2023
French correspondents Agnes Faivre and Sophie Douce deported from Burkina Faso. Officials ordered both journalists to leave the country without providing a reason. The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands the military regime allows journalists to return and work freely.
On April 1st, Libération’s Agnes Faivre and Le Monde Afrique’s Sophie Douce were expelled from Burkina Faso without cause. A day earlier, the journalists were interrogated separately for over an hour by police in Ouagadougou. Officers questioned them about their travel, work, and an article published in Libération. The next day, they were visited by a plainclothes officer who told them they needed to leave the country within 24 hours.
Le Monde and Libération condemned the expulsions as a significant setback for press freedom in the former French colony. “We strongly protest against these unjustified expulsions and the ban on our journalists working independently,” said Libération in an editorial.
Neither journalist received written notification explaining their expulsion. Both journalists had valid accreditation and visas to work in the country.
French daily Libération believes that Burkinabé authorities are unhappy with a report published on March 27 exposing the apparent execution of children at a military barracks in a video.
According to Liberation, social media reports in Burkina Faso said the two journalists were accused of "infiltrating" the country, having been paid "large sums" to produce "false testimonies."
Libération “categorically refutes these ridiculous allegations. Agnes Faivre and Sophie Douce are journalists of perfect integrity,” said the paper.
Crackdown on French media in Burkina Faso
The expulsions of Faivre and Douce are the latest indication that interim leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré is targeting French media in the country. Since Traoré seized power following a military coup in September, tensions with the French government and media have escalated.
Last month, the military regime suspended France 24, accusing the TV channel of acting as a “communications agency” for Al-Qaeda after it reported comments by the militant group’s leader. In December, authorities suspended the broadcasting of Radio France Internationale (RFI).
The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands that authorities in Burkina Faso stop targeting French press workers and broadcasters. Faivre and Douce are both reputable journalists who have valid visas and accreditation. Their deportations are entirely unjustified. They should be allowed to return immediately to continue their reporting.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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