Burkina Faso’s junta-led government has taken a strong step by suspending Radio Omega, a highly popular radio station, due to its broadcast of an interview that was considered disrespectful towards Niger’s newly established military leadership. The suspension, effective immediately and with no set end date, was announced by Communications Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo.
The decision was justified as being in the nation’s best interests, as the interview had crossed boundaries. Radio Omega, which is part of the Omega media group owned by journalist and former foreign minister Alpha Barry, stopped broadcasting shortly after the announcement.
In the interview, Ousmane Abdoul Moumouni, spokesperson for a Nigerien group advocating for the return of President Mohamed Bazoum to power, made derogatory remarks about the new authorities in Niger. Ouedraogo, who also serves as a government spokesperson, labeled these comments as insults.
He further accused Moumouni’s organization of actively promoting violence and war against the Nigerien people, emphasizing their intent to reinstate Bazoum through any means necessary.
Burkina Faso’s recent history includes two military coups triggered in part by frustration over the inability to quell a growing jihadist insurgency, similar to situations in Mali and Niger. The country promptly aligned itself with Niger’s new leadership and issued a joint warning with Mali against any military action aimed at restoring Bazoum, asserting that such actions would be treated as a declaration of war.
In recent times, Burkina Faso has exhibited a trend of suspending various French media outlets and expelling correspondents from French newspapers. This illustrates the nation’s firm stance on matters of national importance.