Following the publication of an article on unprecedented abuses by Burkina Faso's army against civilians, Le Monde was once again suspended by the country's authorities, along with six other international media.
Le Monde condems in the strongest terms the announcement of its suspension in Burkina Faso on Sunday, April 28, and that of six other international media including Ouest-France, TV5Monde, Deutsche Welle and The Guardian. This decision by Burkina Faso's Higher Council for Communication (CSC), which has not been officially communicated to Le Monde, is a further attack on the right of access to information in the country, which has been steadily shrinking since Captain Ibrahim Traoré came to power in a coup d'état in September 2022.
The regulatory authority accused Le Monde and the other media targeted by this measure of "disinformation likely to discredit the Burkinabe army," following the coverage of a report by Human Rights Watch. Le Monde condemns these accusations and asserts that it has worked with the utmost seriousness and independence.
Precedent in December 2023
In an article entitled "In Burkina Faso, 'soldiers wanted to make sure there were no survivors,'" originally published in French on April 25, Le Monde reported in detail how at least 223 civilians, including some 50 women and children, were massacred by their own army in villages in the north of the country. The article was an important reminder that the victims of the war on terror have never been so numerous. This information was embarrassing for the Burkinabe authorities, given that Traoré took power promising to bring peace to the country.
Le Monde's suspension is in response to the Burkina Faso government's ongoing determination to prevent access to information on the country's security situation. Prior to this new decision by the CSC, access to our newspaper and its website was first banned in December 2023. In April 2023, Le Monde's correspondent was expelled from the country and, since then, all our visa applications have been refused. This experience follows that of numerous media organizations in previous months, such as Jeune Afrique, LCI, France 24 and RFI. Several civil society figures have also been arrested.
Le Monde affirms it will continue to work impartially in Burkina Faso, despite repeated attempts to prevent it from doing so.