Niger Coup: Anxiety As Burkina Faso’s Junta Suspends Popular Radio Station Indefinitely, Gives Reason

• Fresh tension has erupted in a top West African country amid the ongoing coup in the Republic of Niger
• This is as the coup leaders in Burkina Faso slammed a fresh suspension on the country's popular radio station
• The junta leader noted that the suspension is for the country's interest and the ban takes immediate effect "until further notice"

There is a new development in Burkina Faso amid the resettlement rocking the Niger Republic.

In the midst of the ongoing coup in the Republic of Niger, Burkina Faso’s junta-led government on Thursday, August 10, suspended one of the country’s most popular radio stations.

The communications minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, in a statement, disclosed that the radio station was suspended after it broadcast an interview deemed “insulting” to Niger’s new military leaders headed by Général Abdourahmane Tchiani.

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Daily Trust reported that Radio Omega was immediately suspended on Thursday “until further notice,” Ouedraogo stated.

Ouedraogo added that the measure was “in the higher interests of the nation.”

The station, part of the Omega media group owned by journalist and former foreign minister Alpha Barry, ceased broadcasting after the statement was issued late Thursday.

Burkina Faso accuses FRANCE 24

Meanwhile, in March 2023, the Burkina Faso government accused FRANCE 24 of broadcasting an “interview with the Head of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)”.

However, the channel has never invited him to speak directly on its programmes and has simply reported his words in the form of a column, ensuring the necessary distance and context.

ECOWAS sanction: Niger Junta warns West African leaders

West African leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been slammed with a fresh threat.

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ECOWAS sanction: “We’ll kill Bazoum if military intervenes”, Niger Junta warns West African leaders

Niger’s military junta, Général Abdourahmane Tchiani, has said they would kill deposed President Mohamed Bazoum if neighbouring countries attempt any military intervention to restore constitutional order in the West African country.

ECOWAS orders standby force against Niger Republic plotters

The ECOWAS ordered its Chief of Defence Staff to activate a standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger Republic following the recent military coup that took over power from ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

This was disclosed in a resolution on the Niger coup at the ECOWAS Extraordinary meeting in Abuja on Thursday, August 10.

The resolution was read by the President of ECOWAS, Omar Alieu Touray. “Direct the committee of the Chief of Defence Staff to activate the ECOWAS standby force with all its elements immediately

Source: Legit.ng