The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) has called for the immediate release of three journalists detained in Burkina Faso.
Guezouma Sanogo, president of the Association of Burkinabe Journalists (AJB), his deputy Boukari Ouoba, and Luc Pagbelguem, a reporter for the private TV station BFI, were arrested by National Security Council intelligence officers on March 24.
Sanogo and Ouoba were detained after speaking out against increasing violations of press freedom during the AJB Congress.
Pagbelguem’s arrest followed his media outlet’s coverage of the congress, where Sanogo also advocated for the release of four other journalists who were abducted and conscripted into the army in 2024.
The CAJ strongly condemned the actions of the Burkinabe authorities, urging them to release the journalists immediately and uphold press freedom.
“We call on the Burkinabe authorities to immediately release the detained journalists and ensure journalists and media outlets can operate freely,” said Christopher Isiguzo, president of CAJ.
He expressed deep concern over the growing crackdown on journalists and media outlets in Burkina Faso, which has included suspending AJB’s operations.
Isiguzo also highlighted the detrimental effect this crackdown is having on press freedom, warning that it fosters fear and self-censorship among journalists, thereby undermining the fundamental right to freedom of expression and access to information.