Latest Burkina Faso News
Mali arrests top politician for criticizing Burkina Faso's ruling junta
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Mali's ruling junta arrested one of the country's top politicians Wednesday for criticizing the military rulers of neighboring Burkina Faso, according to his son and a judiciary source. Issa Kaou N’Djim, who previously supported Mali's current military leader...
Theater festival offers solace in Burkina Faso, a nation torn by violence
OUGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — The last three years have been tough for Fanta Charlotte Dabone, a mother of three from the conflict-battered West African country of Burkina Faso. She fled her village after it was attacked by extremists, leaving her husband and her farm behind....
Burkina Faso put civilians at 'unnecessary risk' during militant attack, rights group says
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Burkina Faso's government unnecessarily exposed civilians to danger during a militant attack earlier this year, Human Rights Watch said in a report released Tuesday. In August, at least 100 villagers were killed by fighters from a militant group linked to...
A playwright in Africa hopes to break the cultural silence on rape
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Under a spotlight in an otherwise dark room, Oliva Ouedraogo held up a piece of fabric that looked stained with blood. “Long live the girl!” she cried, her voice competing with the loud hum of a generator. Ouedraogo was starring in her own play —...
Burkina Faso’s junta suspends Voice of America broadcasts over coverage of militant violence
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Burkina Faso’s military junta has suspended Voice of America's broadcasts for three months over its coverage of militant attacks in the country and in neighboring Mali, the state news agency reported, in the latest measure targeting media freedom in the country. ...
Media freedom group sounds alarm on increased security risks for local journalists in Africa's Sahel
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Local journalists in the Sahel region of Africa are facing increased security risks, a media freedom group said Tuesday, as extremist attacks and military coups have shaken the region in recent years. At least two community radio journalists were killed and...
Burkina Faso's ruling junta claims foiling an attempt to destabilize the country
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — Burkina Faso’s ruling junta said it thwarted an attempt to destabilize the African country “with the help of foreign powers.” A transitional government has been running the West African country after the military seized power in 2022,...
Attacks by Islamic extremists are rampant in Africa's Sahel. Here's what we know about them
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Extremist attacks in Sahel, an arid swath of land south of the Sahara in Africa, have proliferated in recent months: Last week, Islamic militants attacked Bamako, the capital of Mali, for the first time in almost a decade, demonstrating their capacity to carry out large...
A Swiss citizen has been arrested in Burkina Faso, Switzerland's foreign ministry says
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — A Swiss citizen has been arrested in Burkina Faso, Swiss authorities said on Wednesday, as the West African nation governed by a military junta continues to sever its ties with the West. The citizen's identity was not immediately released. The Swiss foreign...
At least 100 people killed in central Burkina Faso in latest jihadi attack
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — At least 100 villagers and soldiers were killed in central Burkina Faso during a weekend attack on a village by al-Qaida-linked jihadis, according to videos of the violence analyzed by a regional specialist, who described the assault as one of the deadliest this year in the...
