Authorities in military-led Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have initiated investigations against the French journalist and researcher Wassim Nasr for his alleged “apology of terrorism” and involvement in purported terrorist activities, marking the latest crackdown on Western media. Nasr, who works for France 24, was scrutinized for providing a detailed analysis of a rare deadly jihadi attack in Mali’s capital on September 17. Prosecutors accused him of being in contact with the attackers and receiving real-time updates on their location, objectives, and casualties.
During a press conference in Niger, Deputy Prosecutor Manzo Hadiza claimed that Nasr’s comments amounted to supporting terrorists, prompting coordinated statements from terrorism judicial divisions in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Nasr condemned the investigations as acts of intimidation and an assault on journalism, emphasizing the importance of supporting journalists and civil society activists operating under junta rule.
Reporters Without Borders highlighted the escalating security risks facing local journalists in the Sahel region, where Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are situated. The three countries have grappled with insurgency for over a decade, involving armed groups with ties to extremist organizations like al-Qaida and the Islamic State. Following recent military coups, French forces were expelled, and Russian mercenary units were enlisted for security support, exacerbating the security challenges in the Sahel.
Analysts noted a deterioration in the security situation since the junta takeovers, with a surge in attacks and civilian casualties attributed to both militant groups and government forces. The violence in the region led to the deaths of 3,064 civilians in the first half of the year, a 25% increase compared to the previous six months, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.
In a concerning trend, the ruling juntas have intensified crackdowns on political dissent and press freedom. Malian authorities imposed restrictions on media coverage of political activities, while Burkina Faso suspended BBC and Voice of America radio stations over their reporting on civilian casualties caused by the armed forces. Furthermore, Niger’s authorities closed the “Maison de la Presse,” an organization of journalists’ associations, after it raised concerns about violations of press freedom.
France 24, Nasr’s employer, has also faced suspensions in all three countries due to its reporting on the insurgency. The actions against Nasr and other journalists reflect a broader trend of shrinking press freedoms and escalating security challenges in the Sahel region, raising concerns about the protection of free speech and investigative journalism in the face of authoritarian crackdowns.
