Bujumbura : the National Communication Council temporarily suspends Yaga Burundi

The National Communication Council (CNC), Burundi’s media regulatory body, announced on Thursday the temporary suspension of the Yaga Burundi coalition, known for its media productions and critical content on the Burundian society. This decision, communicated via a press release, raises questions about the future of press freedom in the country.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

According to Espérance Ndayizeye, chairperson of the CNC, the suspension is the result of an administrative irregularity. “Yaga Burundi is not officially registered with our services, although steps have been taken since 2022. It is imperative to bring order to the Burundian media sector,” she said during a press conference held at her office in the commercial city of Bujumbura on Thursday.

Founded ten years ago, Yaga Burundi has established itself as a key player in the Burundian media landscape, covering sensitive issues such as governance, human rights, and youth. Despite its influence, it has not yet obtained official recognition as a media outlet, a factor that appears to be at the heart of the CNC’s decision.

A coalition taken by surprise

In response, a member of the Yaga Burundi coalition expressed his dismay at this suspension.

“We learned the news without having been consulted or invited to the press conference. “We are demanding explanations and intend to engage in discussions with the CNC,” he told SOS Médias Burundi.

This decision comes at a difficult time for Burundian media, where several media outlets are facing restrictions, closures, or administrative sanctions.

Press freedom under pressure

Burundi is going through a worrying period in terms of freedom of expression. In August 2024, Floriane Irangabiye, the only imprisoned female journalist in Africa, was released after international pressure. However, another Burundian journalist, Sandra Muhoza, remains incarcerated, making Burundi the only country on the continent where a female journalist is still detained.

According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the country ranks 108th out of 180 in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index. This situation illustrates a persistent repression of independent media, marked by arrests, intimidation, and censorship. Since the 2015 political crisis, several journalists have been forced into exile, while media outlets critical of the government are under constant pressure.

A reinforced climate of censorship

The suspension of Yaga Burundi comes as Burundian authorities tighten their control over the media. Many observers believe this decision is part of a broader effort to silence independent voices in the run-up to legislative and district elections.

Organizations such as Human Rights Watch and RSF regularly call on the Burundian government to respect press freedom. However, the outlook remains uncertain for media outlets not aligned with the official line.

Are tensions rising?

The case of Yaga Burundi could mark a new stage in the repression of independent media in Burundi. As the coalition seeks clarification on its suspension, this case raises a broader question : how far will media censorship go in the country?

In a context of increased repression, the coming months will be decisive for the future of Burundian journalism and for media professionals trying to do their work independently.

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A logo of the Yaga Burundi blogger coalition, which has been temporarily suspended by the National Communication Council, the press regulatory body in Burundi.