Burkina Faso has announced a two-week suspension of radio broadcasts by BBC Africa and the U.S-funded Voice of America (VOA) due to their reporting on a Human Rights Watch (HRW) investigation implicating the army in extrajudicial killings, authorities disclosed on Thursday.
The HRW report alleged that the Burkinabe military had summarily executed approximately 223 villagers, including at least 56 children, in February. These actions were purportedly part of a crackdown on civilians suspected of collaborating with jihadist groups, as outlined in the watchdog’s independent inquiry.
Describing the army’s actions as recurrent mass atrocities in the guise of counterterrorism efforts, HRW urged authorities to probe these incidents thoroughly.
In response, Burkina Faso’s communication council criticized HRW’s report for making what it deemed as “conclusive and biased” accusations against the military, potentially inciting public unrest. Consequently, the council decided to suspend the radio programs of BBC Africa and VOA for their coverage of the issue.
Additionally, authorities announced measures to block access to the websites and digital platforms of BBC, VOA, and HRW within Burkina Faso.
HRW initiated its investigation following statements from a regional prosecutor in March, who asserted that around 170 individuals were executed by unidentified attackers during assaults on the villages of Komsilga, Nodin, and Soro.
Burkina Faso, like other Sahel nations, has grappled with Islamist insurgencies affiliated with al Qaeda and Islamic State since 2012, resulting in significant casualties and displacements.
The failure of authorities to safeguard civilians has exacerbated tensions, leading to multiple coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger since 2020.
