Mali’s military junta has closed down a local private broadcaster after a complaint from its ally, Burkina Faso, over the channel’s coverage.
Anonymous sources report that Mali’s high communication authority revoked the license of Joliba TV News, effective November 26. This action follows a formal complaint filed by Burkina Faso‘s communication authority on November 12. The complaint centers on comments made by Malian political figure Issa Kaou N’Djim, who criticised Burkina Faso’s junta.
N’Djim, who had initially supported Malian coup leader General Assimi Goita before distancing himself, was detained in Bamako on November 13. His arrest came under pressure from Burkina Faso. He is set to face trial on December 23 for allegedly “publicly offending a foreign head of state.”
A relative of N’Djim reported that he was detained by plainclothes officers on Wednesday morning, who said he was needed for questioning.
The charges stem from N’Djim’s remarks, in which he questioned efforts to “destabilise” Burkina Faso, dismissing them as a “set-up” and accusing them of targeting the country’s leadership.
Burkina Faso’s junta has frequently reported attempts to destabilise the government, with several individuals, including military officers and civilians, arrested on related charges. The most recent arrests occurred in September.
In a statement made by Burkina Faso, it asked the Malian High Authority for Communication (HAC) “to take whatever action it deems appropriate with regard to the broadcast of this programme”.
Mali and Burkina Faso, both under military rule following coups in 2020 and 2022, are part of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) alongside junta-led Niger. Both governments have taken repressive actions against the media, suspending foreign outlets and silencing or imprisoning journalists and critics.
The AES was formed in September last year following the Nigerien crisis in which West African political bloc, ECOWAS threatened to intervene.
