Recently, there have been serious terrorist attacks in Mali, including one at a gendarmerie school in the capital and another at Bamako Airport. In response to these incidents, prosecutors from the Alliance of Sahel States—made up of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—have launched an investigation against Wassim Nasr, a journalist from the French TV channel France 24. They accuse him of making comments that support terrorists.
The accusations come from his reports on the recent jihadist attacks in the area, which have sparked a wave of anger against France. This anger is partly due to the perception that France’s military presence in these countries has not helped improve security. As a result, some French media outlets have faced bans or suspensions.
For example, French TV5 Monde was recently suspended in Burkina Faso for six months and fined 76,000 euros. The channel was accused of broadcasting misleading information about the security situation in the country. Daouda Sawadogo, the publishing director of the Burkinabe newspaper Éclair Info, commented on the issue, stating, “If you say things that are not true, we’ll suspend your media or withdraw your publishing license.” This indicates that the authorities are serious about controlling what the media says.
Sawadogo further criticized France, claiming that the country uses the media to spread propaganda. He argued that the people in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are aware of this tactic and have recognized France’s attempts to manipulate the narrative. “France is struggling to accept its departure from these countries,” he noted, adding that the French government is trying to regain influence through “deceptive means.”
The situation is tense as the African nations feel abandoned by France, which had promised security but has not delivered. The authorities in these countries are taking steps to control media content during this crisis, understanding that effective communication is vital.
Sawadogo also pointed out that Russia is becoming a more important partner for military support in the region. He mentioned that the amount of military equipment provided by Russia far surpasses what France has supplied over the past decade. “While the weapons we buy from Russia aren’t free, they are currently the ones providing the support needed to fight terrorism,” he said.
The investigation into the journalist and the tensions surrounding French media highlight the growing divide between France and these West African nations. As the situation unfolds, many are watching closely to see how it will impact both the region’s security and its relationship with France.
