The Nigerien government has suspended the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for three months, citing dissatisfaction with its coverage of a reported extremist attack that allegedly killed dozens of soldiers and civilians.
Communications Minister Raliou Sidi Mohamed, in a directive to local radio stations that rebroadcast BBC content, accused the broadcaster of disseminating “false information aimed at destabilizing social calm and undermining the troops’ morale.” He ordered the immediate suspension of BBC programs across the country.
BBC and RFI Report Alleged Attack
The controversy arose after the BBC, through its Hausa-language service, reported that gunmen had killed over 90 Nigerien soldiers and 40 civilians near the border with Burkina Faso. Similarly, Radio France Internationale (RFI) described the incident as a “jihadi attack,” echoing the reported death toll.
Niger’s Government Denies the Incident
Nigerien authorities denied that the attack occurred, issuing a statement through state television. The government condemned RFI’s coverage, describing it as “incitement to genocide,” and announced plans to file a formal complaint against the French broadcaster.
Background and Context
Niger, like its neighbors Burkina Faso and Mali, has been battling a persistent insurgency from extremist groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State for over a decade. Following military coups in these nations, French forces have been expelled, with the juntas increasingly turning to Russian mercenary groups for security assistance.
The BBC has not issued any official comment on the suspension, which impacts its popular Hausa-language programs broadcast through local partners in Niger.
This development highlights ongoing tensions between Niger’s military government and international media amid escalating security challenges in the region.