Burkina Faso’s military government announced, on Saturday, the suspension of Radio France Internationale (RFI) broadcasts with immediate effect.
In a statement, government spokesman Jean-Emmanuel Oudraogo accused the radio of giving space to “a message of intimidation to the population attributed to a terrorist leader”.
The accusation came in reference to a message broadcast by Radio France International on Saturday, in which the group Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, linked to ISIS and al-Qaeda, threatened civilian volunteers with helping the government in counter-terrorism operations.
A statement by a Burkina Faso government spokesman said that the government had decided to “immediately suspend the broadcasting of Radio France International’s programs throughout the country until further notice.”
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“This media platform contributes to the desperate attempt of terrorist groups to dissuade thousands of Burkinabers” from working to protect the country’s integrity, the statement added.
Last month, the Burkina Faso authorities announced that a campaign they had launched to recruit volunteers had attracted more than 90,000 people.
The military said it plans to recruit 35,000 volunteers.
The suspension of the radio broadcasts comes amid growing anger in Burkina Faso against France.
Last month, protesters tried to storm the French embassy in the capital, Ouagadougou.
Protesters accuse France of being responsible for the country’s problems, including its insecurity.
It should be noted that Burkina Faso, located in West Africa, witnessed two coups this year alone.