It could not be more obvious that France is no longer welcome on the African continent. After Mali, which just a year ago banned the broadcast of the France 24 and RFI media on its territory, it is the turn of the Burkinabè authorities to be hostile towards France and its media. Let’s go back to the grievances against the French media.
French media: apostles of chaos?
In recent news, Sophie Douce, journalist and correspondent for the newspaper Le Monde in Burkina Faso has been expelled from Burkinabe territory. Earlier, on March 31, it was Agnès Faivre, Ouagadougou correspondent for the French daily Liberation, who had been expelled. The latter saw her accreditation withdrawn on March 27 after her media published the conclusions of an investigation into an alleged video showing Burkina Faso army soldiers torturing and killing children. A heavy accusation naturally denied by the authorities of the country.
Before Liberation and Le Monde, RFI and France 24, again, fell under the trap of the junta in power in Burkina Faso. RFI saw its programs suspended. The French media, through the base maneuvers that we know of, has, through its information, contributed to the destabilizing maneuvers of terrorist groups.
Later, on February 8, 2023, France 24 received a warning from the Haut Conseil de la Communication (CSC) of Burkina for violations of journalistic ethics. Indeed, on several occasions in their reports, the journalists of France 24 used the term “Islamist rebels”. Where, the term rebels would have been more appropriate. The government considered that the media had the intention of setting fire to the powders with the already deleterious situation in the country. After a second offense and an interview with a rebel leader, the CSC finally suspended France 24 on March 27. For Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, the actions of journalists from the France Médias Monde group were an apology for terrorism. Anything unacceptable in view of the situation prevailing in the country.
France is no longer welcome in Burkina Faso
France did not welcome the takeover of the junta headed by Captain Ibrahim Traoré in September 2022. Still in its logic of interference, France tried to destabilize the junta. But it was without counting on the Burkinabè populations who triumphantly welcomed their new government. They also made support marches in the main cities of the country while waving the Russian flag. But also by ransacking the premises of the French Embassy in the capital Ouagadougou.
Subsequently, the ruling junta grew considerably closer to Moscow. Turning its back on Paris. Thus accentuating the tensions between the two countries. The Burkinabè government even had the idea of recruiting the Wagner group to drive out the French troops posted near the capital. To considerably reduce the French influence therefore, Burkina Faso has decided to sanction the French media. Which, according to him, are used for the purposes of political and geopolitical manipulation.
