The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) has issued a forceful call for the immediate release of three Burkinabe journalists who were arrested and subsequently conscripted into the military under murky circumstances.
Guezouma Sanogo, President of the Association of Burkinabe Journalists (AJB), his deputy Boukari Ouoba, and BF1 television reporter Luc Pagbelguem were detained by intelligence officers from Burkina Faso’s National Security Council on March 24. Sanogo and Ouoba were apprehended shortly after raising alarm over rising press freedom violations during the AJB Congress. Pagbelguem’s arrest reportedly followed his outlet’s coverage of the event.
A disturbing video that emerged online last week showed the three men in military uniform, flanked by armed personnel believed to be members of the Burkinabe army, raising fears of forced conscription and intimidation tactics against the media.
CAJ President Christopher Isiguzo condemned the arrests in the strongest terms, calling on Burkinabe authorities to “immediately release the detained journalists and ensure journalists and media outlets can operate freely.” He also decried the government’s suspension of AJB’s operations, warning of a deteriorating environment for press freedom in the country.
“These actions foster fear, silence critical voices, and erode the public’s right to access information,” Isiguzo said. “Such repression not only undermines democracy but also puts the lives of journalists at grave risk.”
The CAJ also renewed its demand for the release of three other journalists—Serge Oulon of L’Evénement, Adama Bayala, and Kalifara Sere of BF1—who disappeared in mid-2024 and were later confirmed to have been conscripted. The whereabouts of Omega Media columnist Alain Traore remain unknown after his abduction by masked gunmen last July.
The escalating crackdown has forced many journalists to flee the country. Notably, respected journalist Newton Ahmed Barry was named on April 1 in an official list of individuals allegedly associated with terrorist organizations.
During the AJB Congress, delegates also raised the alarm over the disappearances of journalists Bienvenue Apiou, James Yazid Dembele, and Mamadou Ali—further underlining the scale of the crisis.
The CAJ is urging international human rights organizations and media watchdogs to increase pressure on the Burkinabe government to end the harassment of journalists and to secure the immediate and unconditional release of all detained media professionals.
