Malian Junta shuts down popular news channel amid criticism of Burkina Faso’s military leaders

Mali’s military government has suspended the broadcast signal of Joliba TV News following critical remarks made about Burkina Faso’s military rulers during a televised debate, a journalist with the channel revealed on Tuesday.

“This morning, the authorities cut off our TV channel signal, but we’re still hopeful that they’ll restore it soon,” said Attaher Halidou, the journalist who moderated the contentious debate, in an interview with The Associated Press.

The incident comes after prominent Malian politician Issa Kaou N’Djim alleged during the program that Burkina Faso’s junta fabricated claims of a foiled coup in September. N’Djim was subsequently arrested and jailed, while Joliba TV’s director was questioned by authorities.

The decision to cut Joliba TV’s signal marks the latest in a series of actions by Mali’s junta against press freedom and political dissent. Since seizing power in 2020, the regime has increasingly clamped down on critical voices.

In June, 11 opposition politicians and several activists were arrested, following a ban on media coverage of political parties and associations. The Press House of Mali, an organization representing journalists, has condemned these actions and vowed to rebroadcast the debated program if Joliba’s broadcasting license is revoked.

“We are in talks with the Malian authorities to find a global solution that not only concerns the restoration of Joliba TV’s signal but also addresses the broader threats to press freedom,” said Bandiougou Danté, the organization’s president.

Issa Kaou N’Djim, a former vice president of Mali’s National Transitional Council, has been a vocal critic of the junta. After distancing himself from the military regime and advocating for a return to democratic governance, he faced repeated crackdowns, including a six-month prison sentence in 2021 for criticizing the regime on social media.

Mali, alongside Burkina Faso and Niger, forms the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a mutual defense pact established in 2023. However, security across the region remains precarious, with an uptick in attacks by Islamist militants.

Human rights groups have also accused government forces in AES member countries of targeting civilians suspected of collaborating with insurgents, further complicating the region’s volatile situation.

The suspension of Joliba TV highlights the mounting challenges faced by journalists and opposition figures under Mali’s military rule, as both domestic and regional tensions continue to escalate.