• Burkina Faso released two journalists, Adama Bayala and Alain Traoré, after 14 months in detention.

• Their arrests highlighted growing pressure on media under the military junta ruling since 2022.

• Burkina Faso fell 19 places in Reporters Without Borders’ press freedom index between 2024 and 2025.

Authorities in Burkina Faso freed two prominent journalists after more than a year in detention, relatives and colleagues told RFI. The release took place overnight from September 16 to 17 and included about ten detainees.

Adama Bayala, a commentator for private channel BF1, and Alain Traoré, known as “Alain Alain” from Oméga FM, were among those freed. Both men were known for their critical views of the military regime.

Unidentified men abducted Bayala on June 28, 2024, in the Ouagadougou neighborhood of 1,200 Logements. Traoré, who hosted the satirical radio show Le Défouloir, was arrested by the National Intelligence Agency on July 13, 2024.

The Justice Ministry later confirmed in October 2024 that Bayala had been “requisitioned” under a general mobilization decree. Authorities never disclosed information on Traoré’s detention, which fueled public concern.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said both journalists are in good condition, although Bayala’s health remains fragile. RSF welcomed the release but urged authorities to free Atiana Serge Oulon, described as the “last journalist still under requisition.”

“Such requisitions, even if allowed under the general mobilization decree, should never have arbitrarily targeted journalists,” RSF said in a statement.

The release comes as Burkina Faso tightens restrictions on media under the junta that seized power in 2022. Authorities suspended several international outlets in recent months, including TV5 Monde, Le Monde, The Guardian, and Agence Ecofin.

The country dropped 19 places in RSF’s global press freedom index, falling from 86th in 2024 to 105th in 2025.

This article was initially published in French by Servan Ahougnon

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum