The military junta ruling Burkina Faso has once again demonstrated its aversion to foreign radios, television, and newspapers delving too deeply into its affairs, particularly when they prove inconvenient.
On February 25th, as recounted by “Le Monde Afrique”, at least 223 civilians, including 56 children, were reportedly executed in two villages in northern Burkina Faso by their army. This harrowing revelation, one of the deadliest incidents since the jihadist insurgency began in 2015, surfaced two months after the events, courtesy of testimonies from fourteen survivors, international organizations, civil society, and the examination of photographic and video evidence.
In a statement released on April 27th, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Communication, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, vehemently denounced and rejected such unfounded accusations.
Consequently, all foreign media outlets that referenced Human Rights Watch’s report face a two-week suspension by Burkina Faso’s High Council for Communication (CSC).
Affected entities include TV5 Monde and its website, along with six other media organizations: French newspapers Ouest-France and Le Monde, the British daily The Guardian, the German channel Deutsche Welle, Senegalese press agency APAnews, and EcoFin agency based in Cameroon and Switzerland.
Last week, BBC and Voice of America also incurred similar suspensions. In its communiqué, the CSC “urges all media outlets to refrain from disseminating” Human Rights Watch’s investigation under penalty of sanctions. It’s worth noting that RFI and France 24 have been censored in Burkina for almost a year and a half.
The newspaper “Aujourd’hui in Ouagadougou” reported recent remarks from Ibrahim Traoré, the junta leader: “War does not tolerate laxity. The threat of terrorism is contained,” he asserts, “the territory is secured, and the army is equipped and reorganized.”
Togo Elections: A “Momentous Turning Point”
In other news, Togo is holding elections today. “Monday, Election Day: Togolese Choose Members of Parliament and Regional Councilors,” headlines Togo Matin.
“This double ballot marks a momentous turning point in our country’s history,” comments the newspaper. “These are the first elections of the Fifth Republic with the advent of a parliamentary regime. Henceforth, the election of MPs, municipal, and regional councilors will attract more attention than the presidential elections, previously regarded as the ‘mother of elections.’
This is a significant change, and Togolese will gradually adapt to it, for sure. However, it would have been beneficial for all of us,” continues Togo Matin, “if the electoral campaign could have served as an opportunity to educate and raise awareness about this new regime, whether we accept it or not. That would have been more beneficial and pragmatic than the sterile commotions we sadly witnessed.”
Togo Matin likely alludes to the opposition protests, part of civil society, and the Catholic Church, following the adoption ten days ago of the constitutional amendment establishing a parliamentary regime. A system that could suit President Faure Gnassingbé, allowing him to remain in power without term limits.
“Merely a Formality” for Faure
The Burkina Faso daily, Le Pays, more inclined to discuss events in neighboring countries than its own, especially at present, comments, “Elections have always been merely a formality for the Gnassingbé father and son, merely to amuse the political gallery and provide their regimes with democratic appearances, although they intrinsically embody the epitome of dictatorship and imposture.”
Finally, “L’Observateur Paalga” notes, “The electoral campaign concluded peacefully on Saturday. Now, the aim is to maintain this serenity throughout Election Day, especially during the vote counting and after the announcement of results, to prevent the overheated post-electoral scenarios to which many African countries, sadly, are accustomed.”