Alain Niozè Traoré, known to Radio Omega listeners as Alain Alain, has been reported missing. Traoré, who heads the language desk at Omega Press Group, hosts a popular satirical and humorous programme called “Le défouloir de Alain Alain.” Despite having faced numerous threats and intimidation, the situation escalated around 5 a.m. on July 13, 2024, when armed individuals in balaclavas abducted him from his home.
According to those close to him, the abductors identified themselves as agents of the National Intelligence Agency (ANR). “They promised to bring him back home before 8 am so that he would be on time for his show that day, scheduled for 10 am”, his media said in a statement released in the afternoon of July 13.
In the statement, Omega Press Group strongly condemned the kidnapping and demanded his immediate release. They called on the authorities to “ensure his moral and physical integrity”.
The day before his arrest, Traoré posted a message on his Facebook page: “A (boss) doesn’t talk much. He makes people say what he does, and he does it quietly. When he talks too much, he blames himself for something.”
“We are worried and concerned about what might happen to Alain Alain. What is he being accused of? The sword of Damocles is hanging over us, and we wonder whose turn it will be,” a member of the media group’s management told the MFWA in a phone conversation with the MFWA.
A journalist contacted by MFWA believes Alain’s publication on Facebook was the last straw that led to the arrest of their colleague. However, no official sources have provided reasons for Traoré’s detention.
On July 11, the Head of State, Capitaine Ibrahim Traoré, addressed the nation, claiming responsibility for sending to the front.” He added that he would not respect court decisions that went against the people’s interests.
Alain Alain is the fourth journalist and columnist to have been kidnapped in Ouagadougou within two weeks. Before the July 13 abduction of Alain, Kalifara Seré had gone missing on June 19; Serge Oulon had gone missing on June 24; and Adama Bayala went missing on June 28. None of them has been found at the time of this issuing this Alert.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation for journalists and press freedom in Burkina Faso. This consistent disappearance and abduction of journalists is becoming alarming and the resultant effect of self-censorship and self-imposed exile is even more worrying. We call on the presidency, the media regulator and other authorities to use due process to address any issues they may have with the work of journalists and media houses, rather than resorting picking up journalists and suspending media houses arbitrarily. They should uphold and respect the right to freedom of expression and information as enshrined in Article 8 of the Constitution of Burkina Faso.
