By John Ikani
Burkina Faso’s military junta announced on Monday the suspension of the French news magazine Jeune Afrique.
The junta in a statement cited the publication of “untruthful” articles that reported tension and discontent within the country’s armed forces as the reason behind their decision.
The suspension of Jeune Afrique represents the most recent development in the crackdown on French media since Burkina Faso came under military rule last year.
In the statement, the junta accused the magazine of attempting to tarnish the reputation of the armed forces and manipulating information to “spread chaos” within the country. These allegations were based on two articles published within the past four days.
The relationship between Burkina Faso and its former colonial power, France, has deteriorated due to rising concerns about security issues linked to a jihadist insurgency. These concerns led to two military takeovers in the country last year.
The strained relationship has resulted in the expulsion of diplomatic officials, including the French ambassador to Burkina Faso, and has fueled a backlash against foreign media.
Prior to this suspension, the junta had already taken action against French-funded broadcasters Radio France Internationale and France24, accusing them of providing a platform for Islamist militants involved in an insurgency across the Sahel region, south of the Sahara.
Furthermore, in June, French television channel La Chaine Info, which is part of private broadcaster TF1, faced a three-month suspension for broadcasting a report on the insurgency that was deemed to “lack objectivity.”
In April, two French journalists, working for newspapers Le Monde and Liberation, were expelled from Burkina Faso.
