The authorities of Burkina Faso have announced their intention to close all radio stations in their country engaging in “hostile propaganda.” This includes Western and local media outlets displaying “pro-imperialist positions,” stated Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traoré.
“We will close all radio stations engaged in propaganda, glorifying the enemy, fueling conflicts,” said the Burkinabe president, as reported by Burkina 24. “A government in a country at war cannot tolerate those acting on behalf of the enemy. This pertains not only to Western radios but also to local radios working in the same pro-imperialist spirit, and we will close them.”
A group of military officers led by Mr. Traoré staged a coup in Burkina Faso on September 30, 2022, ousting Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba from the presidency. The National Assembly convened by the military unanimously named Mr. Traoré as the Transition President on October 14. He was sworn in as head of state on October 21.
In recent years, Burkina Faso has faced a severe security crisis, with Islamist groups operating in the country. In early January, Burkina Faso terminated a defense agreement with Paris, under which a contingent of nearly 400 French special forces was stationed in the country. On February 19, the French military personnel who had been stationed in the country since 2009 left. On March 1, the government of Burkina Faso denounced a military agreement with France that had been signed over 60 years ago.
