November 2 is the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, a date chosen by the United Nations General Assembly in memory of our colleagues, Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, assassinated on November 2, 2013 in Mali. In the country as in Burkina, cases of attacks, kidnappings and disappearances of journalists are still recorded.
2 mins
With our correspondent in the region, Serge Daniel
Exile is probably what saved the Malian journalist’s life Malick Konate. In 2022 in Bamako, two hooded individuals broke the windows of his vehicle. He wasn’t in the vehicle, but the message was clear.
Also readMalian journalist Malick Konaté testifies
His colleague Birama Toure from the weekly The Sphinx didn’t have a chance to leave in time. For more than eight years, it has been worn “ disappeared “. Malian justice has opened an investigation, but it is really making no progress.
Next to the MaliAt Burkina Fasothe fate of four local journalists worries. For Reporters Without Borders, in all likelihood, “ they would be in the hands of the military “.
One journalist kidnapped, another disappears
One of them is called Serge Oulonhe is the publication director of the newspaper The Event. A close friend of the junta filed a complaint against him for “ public defamation and insults “. On June 24, the day of the trial, he did not appear in court.
We then learned that he had in the meantime been literally kidnapped, according to several sources, by presumed members of the National Intelligence Agency (ANR). According to two of his relatives, he suffered degrading physical treatment.
Also readJournalists kidnapped in Burkina: “a climate of fear and self-censorship which endangers press freedom”
The head of the Burkinabé junta, Captain Ibrahim Traore a few weeks later, confirmed the enlistment in the army of a journalist without naming him.
Last July, another Burkinabé journalist, Alain Traoredisappeared. Armed and hooded individuals claiming to be from the National Intelligence Agency allegedly kidnapped him from his home. Since then, no news from him. Alarming news that cannot be verified at the moment has reached his loved ones.
The list of media men who have disappeared in Burkina also includes two columnists.
Also readMali: an organization of West African journalists calls for the release of their colleague Yeri Bocoum