Indignation in the Sahel: AES accuses french media of complicity with terrorism
Indignation is growing within the Confederation of Sahel States (AES). This is no longer simply about diplomatic disputes between France and transitional regimes, but a far more serious accusation: that certain French media outlets, through their treatment of information, are rendering themselves complicit with the terrorist groups bloodying Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Relations between AES countries and Paris have been icy since the withdrawal of French troops and the strategic reorientation toward new partners.
Yet this political distrust does not justify, by any means, the drift observed in Parisian newsrooms. This is no longer mere criticism; it is an editorial line that, by consistently “popularizing” atrocities, borders on glorifying crime.
The case of France 24 journalist Wassim Nasr has become the symbol of this drift. Judicial authorities in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have jointly opened an investigation against him for “glorification of terrorism” and “complicity in terrorist acts.”
Prosecutors in Faso have denounced “positions and comments that amount to acts of blatant publicity and support for terrorists.”
Worse still, the investigation seeks to determine the nature of contacts between the journalist and these criminals, who reportedly informed him in real time of their objectives and positions.
Simply put, instead of condemning violence, certain French media outlets are providing a platform to those who murder civilians and soldiers.
This attitude, perceived as provocation, comes in a context where France has never digested its forced eviction from the Sahel.
By transforming terrorists into “geopolitical commentators” and popularizing their atrocities, these media outlets engage in dangerous propaganda.
Not only do they trample on the mourning of nations victimized by terrorism, but by presenting these acts as actions of “salvation” or providing justification for them, they objectively encourage these groups to continue their dirty work.
AES countries, on the front lines of this fight for survival, cannot tolerate foreign media outlets, protected by the comfort of their Parisian newsrooms, becoming complicit with those sowing terror.
This is not about hindering press freedom, as the usual defenders of the accused journalist proclaim.
It is about defending the right to life and dignity of Sahelian populations against propaganda organs that have chosen their side: that of criminals.
Neil CAMARA
