Two journalists in Burkina Faso were detained for criticizing attacks on freedom of expression, amid a troubling trend of kidnappings since a 2022 coup. The journalists’ association reported the abduction, while officials deny mass murder allegations linked to the army. Human rights groups also condemn the kidnappings and coercion within security services, as violence in the country escalates.

In Burkina Faso, two journalists were detained on Monday and transported to an undisclosed location following their media organization’s condemnation of assaults on freedom of expression. The country has faced numerous kidnappings of individuals critical of the ruling junta since the coup led by Captain Ibrahim Traore in 2022.

The Journalists’ Association of Burkina Faso reported that their president, Guezouma Sanogo, and deputy president, Boukari Ouoba, were abducted by individuals posing as intelligence officers at a national press center in Ouagadougou. Sanogo criticized the escalating attacks on press freedom during remarks at an association congress, asserting these violations have reached unprecedented levels.

Reports indicate that several of the seven journalists kidnapped last year remain missing. Notably, a political group announced last week that five of its members, including a journalist, were abducted after the group condemned atrocities attributed to the army and related militias. Recent social media footage reveals numerous bloodied victims, some appearing to be women, children, or the elderly, which has sparked outrage from the political entity SENS.

Despite these grave accusations, authorities in Burkina Faso have denied that mass murders have occurred involving the army and affiliated groups. Human rights organizations, including Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International, have condemned the kidnappings and highlighted cases where individuals have been coerced into serving in the security forces against their will, particularly following a mobilization order issued in 2023 targeting critics of the government.

Over the past decade, Burkina Faso has experienced a surge of violence linked to terrorist activities stemming from neighboring Mali and Niger, spreading the conflict beyond national borders.

The detention of journalists in Burkina Faso underscores the pressing issues surrounding freedom of expression and the safety of media personnel in the nation. The alarming trend of kidnappings, combined with governmental denials of atrocities, raises critical concerns about human rights and press freedom in the region. As violence persists, the international community and organizations closely monitoring the situation emphasize the need for accountability and protection for journalists and civilians alike.

Original Source: newscentral.africa

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