In the Sahel countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, military rulers are increasingly clamping down on press freedom and freedom of expression. Many journalists, bloggers and activists have been forced into exile.

Since the 2020-2023 coups, military leaders have imposed sweeping criminal-defamation and anti-terrorism laws that enable the arbitrary detention of journalists, bloggers and activists. They have also ordered the shutdown of independent radio stations and online platforms.

"It has become more repressive. It's no longer as easy to speak out," Ulf Laessing, former director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's Sahel program in Mali, told DW. "People have become more cautious. That is clearly a point of criticism against the government."

In Mali, General Assimi Goita seized power through two military coups in 2020 and 2021 and gradually placed the country under military rule. In 2025, the National Transitional Council passed a draft law securing Goita's rule for another five years.

According to Laessing, the unstable security situation had initially improved somewhat in some parts of Mali, but that is no longer the case. Mali still faces the threat of terrorism and jihadist insurgents control some parts of the country. "I don't think any government will succeed in recapturing those areas," he said.

In Burkina Faso, human rights activist Binta Sidibe-Gascon told DW: "Public space no longer exists at all. Everyone is forced into silence and pressured to self-censor. Anyone who dares to speak out about the national situation is sent to the front lines."

Burkinabe President Ibrahim Traore seized power in a coup in September 2022 and promised to restore security. However, Sidibe-Gascon noted: "All the rights of the Burkinabe have been seized and are now in the hands of a single man. The death penalty has been reinstated. This is a step backward for Burkina Faso."

In early April, Traore stated: "People need to forget about democracy. If an African tries to talk to you about democracy, you should run away. Democracy kills."

Freedom of the press is also severely restricted. According to Reporters Without Borders, cases of intimidation against media workers have increased. In 2024, at least ten foreign media outlets, including Jeune Afrique, Deutsche Welle, and The Guardian, were suspended.

The arrest of Imam Mohamed Ishaq Kindo on May 26 sparked rare unrest in Ouagadougou. Hundreds of supporters demanded his release, clashing with police.

Exiled journalist Newton Ahmed Barry views this as part of a strategy of fear: "The more people are afraid, the more they buy their way out of trouble. They instill fear and terror in everyone to keep them under control."

Mahamadou Idder Alghabid of the Alliance of Sahel Democrats said the juntas' "propaganda" initially worked, but promises have proven false. "People in the Sahel are realizing this and abandoning the coup plotters' ship."

Activists also call on the international community. Human Rights Watch researcher Ilaria Allegrozzi stated: "Silence and ambiguity always legitimize authoritarian excesses."

Source: www.dw.com