BY VICTOR BUORO – The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) has condemned the increasing waves of military interventions in Africa, warning that the development portends a danger to democracy and press freedom in the continent.
Specifically citing the latest cases of Niger on July 26 and Gabon on August 30, 2023, CAJ said the spate of military takeovers is seriously threatening to undermine the gains being made in the march towards stability and progress within Africa.
In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, CAJ said; “Democracy remains the best form of government and we urge African leaders to promote meaningful dialogue, people-oriented programmes, respect for the will of the people and the building of strong electoral systems that guarantee peaceful transitions”.
Comrade Isiguzo, who is the current President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), urged the military juntas that have dismantled democratic structures in Niger and Gabon to respect press freedom and guarantee an enabling environment for both the national and international media outlets to discharge their mandate of informing the citizens and the world of the situation in both countries.
He said; “We call for calm and dialogue between the parties involved to return the two countries to the path of democracy and the rule of law. We also call on the African Union and the international community to launch intervention processes that promote the peaceful settlement of disputes rather than actions that may aggravate the delicate situations in the two countries”
The CAJ President noted that following the coup in Niger on July 26, both local and international media have faced challenges in reporting about the developments in the country, adding that journalists and media houses have been exposed to serious threats, harassment, and intimidation in the hands of overzealous soldiers and coupists.
The statement further noted that; “On August 3, 2023, the military authorities suspended the operations of France 24 and Radio France International (RFI). A number of both local and international journalists have since reported threats of attacks in the course of their work. The authorities have also cautioned the public against the use of social media to publish messages that might “disrupt” social cohesion.”
Importantly, CAJ expressed fear that the military intervention in Gabon, just like in Niger, and earlier on in Mali and Burkina Faso, may undermine press freedom and deny citizens and the international community access to information about developments in the country.
