France rejects expulsion of two French journalists from Burkina Faso

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - France said Monday it deeply regretted the expulsion of Le Monde and Libération correspondents from Burkina Faso, which came a few days after the decision to suspend the broadcasting of France 24 programmes.

"France reaffirms its constant and determined commitment to press freedom and the protection of journalists everywhere in the world," said a statement from the French foreign ministry.

Sophie Douce of Le Monde Afrique and Agnès Faivre of Libération were ordered by the Burkinabe authorities to leave the capital, Ouagadougou, within 24 hours on Saturday.

The expulsions were prompted by the publication early last week of an investigation into alleged "abuses committed by the Burkinabe army".

The two French newspapers denounced the expulsion of their correspondents from Burkina Faso in publications on Sunday and said it was "confirmation that press freedom in Burkina Faso is under serious threat".

-0- PANA TNDD/IS/BBA/RA 3April2023