The Burkina Faso-based investigative newspaper L’Evenement has suspended its publication following the reported abduction of its publishing director, Atiana Serge Oulon, the newspaper announced on Wednesday.
According to a report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), armed men arrived at Oulon’s home in June and forced him into a minibus. Hours later, two men claiming to be secret service agents returned to his home, seizing his computer and phone.
Details of the abductors’ identities remain unverified, and Burkina Faso’s military leaders, who took power in a 2022 coup, have faced criticism from rights groups over their national security measures. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have accused the junta of abducting and conscripting critics.
In June, authorities suspended L’Evenement, but the newspaper won a legal battle to resume publishing. Despite the victory, the paper has now halted operations, citing “many challenges” and the absence of Oulon.
Burkina Faso’s government did not respond to requests for comment. This suspension follows a broader crackdown on the press, including the temporary suspension of BBC Africa and Voice of America in April over coverage of alleged army abuses.
