Burkina Faso Intelligence Officers Detain Journalists’ Association Leaders After Criticism of Media Intimidation

Intelligence officers in Burkina Faso have detained the president and vice-president of the Association of Burkinabe Journalists (ABJ) and taken them to an undisclosed location, according to reports.

The two, President Sanogo and Vice-President Ouoba, were seized after Sanogo publicly criticized the intimidation and “kidnapping” of journalists during a March 21 meeting of the media group. Their current whereabouts remain unknown.

The detention has raised alarm among press freedom advocates, who view it as part of a broader crackdown on independent journalism under military rule. Rights groups have urged authorities to immediately disclose the journalists’ location and secure their release.

Burkina Faso has faced mounting concerns over press freedom in recent years, with journalists frequently harassed, censored, or detained for reporting critically on the government and security issues.