Burkina Faso: When the French media are bent on creating discord
In recent days, several French media outlets have reported on atrocities committed against civilians in the town of Solenzo. In the articles and reports broadcasted, these media outlets mention Fulani people being massacred by Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP) or military forces, citing voice messages shared on social media that incite hatred and the extermination of this ethnic group, often suspected of being linked to terrorist groups.
The French media coverage strongly emphasizes human rights violations and the risks to democracy in Burkina Faso. However, a broader analysis of the Burkinabe context reveals a much more complex dynamic, which is overlooked by these Western media outlets. In fact, jihadist groups have long sown terror in several regions of the country, pushing the Burkinabè military to redouble its efforts to free populations held hostage.
An official statement issued by the Burkinabe Prime Minister’s office on March 15 sheds light on the situation, specifying that the military operation carried out on March 10 in Solenzo forced the terrorists to flee. In their hasty retreat, they abandoned their families, including the elderly, women, and children, as well as hostages who were found and transported to Ouagadougou for treatment.
A Well-Orchestrated Propaganda to Harm the Struggle for Burkinabe Sovereignty
This French media coverage fits into a larger narrative aimed at demonizing the Burkinabe authorities and undermining the efforts of the transitional government. It is no coincidence that these accusations of atrocities are being highlighted while Burkina Faso is strengthening its alliances with African countries to fight terrorism, outside of Western influence.
Since the expulsion of the French ambassador and the departure of French troops from Operation Sabre, Burkina Faso has increased its military cooperation with its neighbors, notably Mali and Niger, within the framework of the Sahel States Alliance (AES). This regional solidarity, based on strategies adapted to the realities on the ground, is beginning to yield results, which is clearly disturbing some foreign powers.
Instead of highlighting these advances and the resilience of the Burkinabe people, some French media outlets prefer to fuel alarmist rhetoric, aiming to discredit the authorities and sow division within the population. This approach is not new: it fits into a media tradition where Africa is only mentioned through the lens of chaos, war, and human rights violations, thus overshadowing the legitimate struggles of African peoples for their sovereignty and security.
A United Africa Against Media and Political Interference
Far from being influenced by these disinformation campaigns, Burkina Faso and its allies continue their commitment to fighting terrorism. The logistical and strategic support of neighboring countries, along with the strengthening of the VDP and national armed forces, shows that the solution lies primarily in the hands of the Africans themselves.
Burkina Faso, like other African nations, asks for only one thing: to be the master of its destiny and to fight its battle on its own terms, without interference or dictates from elsewhere.
