Photo : Vincent Bado, Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Vincent Bado, Reuters
IN BRIEF
Anu Maria Joseph
Burkina Faso: Suspends BBC over HRW report
On 26 April, the country suspended the BBC and the US public broadcaster Voice of America following its coverage of mass killings. The report accused the Burkinabe military of carrying out at least 223 civilian massacres in February. The country’s media regulator warned other media outlets not to cover the news and suspended BBC publications. UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Marta Hurtad raised concerns over the suspension. She stated: "Restrictions on media freedom and civic space must stop immediately. Freedom of expression including the right of access to information is crucial in any society, and even more so in the context of the transition in Burkina Faso." (“Burkina Faso suspends BBC over HRW report on alleged mass killings,” BBC, 26 April 2024; “UN criticises Burkina Faso's BBC ban,” BBC, 26 April 2024)
Ethiopia: AU expresses concerns over community disputes
On 26 April, the African Union (AU) raised concern on "escalating tensions between local communities" in North Ethiopia. The country has been in turmoil since the war broke out between the Tigrayans and the federal government in 2020. The Tigrayans seized the regions including Alamata Town, Raya Alamata, Zata, and Ofla which are claimed by the Amharas. The violent disputes have caused 50,000 to flee their hometown. The AU Chairman, Moussa Faki Mahamat, urged both sides to immediately "halt hostilities and ensure the safety of civilians to end the renewed displacement of the local population." (“AU 'deeply concerned' about north Ethiopia tensions,” BBC, 26 April 2024)