FRANCE 24 was informed on March 27, 2023, via a press release from the Burkina Faso government, of the indefinite suspension of the broadcasting of its programmes in the country. FRANCE 24’s management strongly deplores this decision and refutes the unfounded accusations that call into question the channel's professionalism.
The Burkina Faso government accuses FRANCE 24 of broadcasting an “interview with the Head of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)”. However, the channel has never invited him to speak directly on its programmes, and has simply reported his words in the form of a column, ensuring the necessary distance and context. Furthermore, this column enabled us to confirm for the first time that the French hostage Olivier Dubois, who has since been released, was held by AQIM.
