Ouagadougou – The Burkinabè government has announced the suspension of the French newspaper “Le Monde” in Burkina Faso, effective December 2, 2023. This action follows the publication of an article by “Le Monde” on December 1, 2023, which the government claims misrepresented the recent Djibo attack and the response of the Fighting Forces.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the government released a statement expressing outrage over the article titled “In Burkina, propaganda is raging after the jihadist attack on Djibo.” The statement criticizes the newspaper for equating the Burkinabè State with terrorist attackers and for allegedly legitimizing terrorist propaganda.
The government refutes “Le Monde’s” assertion of propaganda in its war against terrorism, emphasizing its commitment to truthfully informing the public about the fight against terrorism. The press release stresses that the government’s communication on the Djibo events adhered to its ethical governance standards.
The statement expresses disappointment in “Le Monde” for promoting the notion of a numerical war, overlooking the clear victory of the Defense and Security Forces and the Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP) over terrorist forces. It accuses the newspaper of misrepresenting facts and betraying its duty of truth to the public.
The Burkinabè government views the current situation as crucial for the nation’s independence and sovereignty. It criticizes the support of “pseudo jihadists” and condemns media narratives that portray the VDP as militias, calling such depictions contemptuous of the Burkinabè people and their struggle for freedom.
In light of these accusations, the government has chosen to suspend the distribution of “Le Monde” in Burkina Faso. It calls on the public to remain calm and not be swayed by misleading media narratives that aim to sow doubt and confusion.