Prosecutors from military-led governments in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have launched investigations into French journalist Wassim Nasr, accusing him of promoting terrorism through his analysis of jihadist attacks. Nasr, a journalist and researcher for France 24, is a known expert on Islamist insurgencies, particularly in the Sahel region.
The investigation follows Nasr’s analysis of a rare coordinated jihadist assault on strategic locations in Bamako, Mali’s capital, on September 17, which was widely cited in various media outlets. The prosecutors claim Nasr’s remarks constituted “publicity and support” for jihadist activities, referencing not only the recent Bamako attack but also a 2023 jihadist attack in Djibo, Burkina Faso.
Charges against Nasr include criminal conspiracy, complicity in terrorism, and advocating terrorism, as outlined in statements broadcasted on national TV in all three countries on Wednesday.
Nasr, who is currently in France, declined to comment, though he expressed solidarity with colleagues in the Sahel region who face oppression under the military regimes.
These military juntas, which took power through coups starting in 2020, have distanced themselves from traditional Western alliances in favor of partnerships with Russia. They have also withdrawn from the regional bloc ECOWAS and restricted international media, including suspending France 24 over their coverage of insurgencies.
