In early July 2025, authorities in the Burkina Faso government released five journalists and one human rights activist who had been forcibly conscripted into the military as retaliation for criticizing the ruling military junta. While this release marks a significant step, it serves as a somber reminder that several other individuals remain missing, with some cases dating back to 2024 and no information regarding their current whereabouts.
On March 24, 2024, in the capital city of Ouagadougou, officials detained Guezouma Sanogo, Boukari Ouoba, and Phil Roland Zongo—all associated with the Association des journalistes du Burkina (AJB)—alongside Luc Pagbelguem, a reporter for the private station BF1. Their detention followed public criticism of media censorship. By April, online footage surfaced showing several of these men in military attire, confirming fears of forced enlistment. The conscription of Phil Roland Zongo was only formally acknowledged upon his recent release.
The situation remains dire for others. On June 18, 2024, BF1 TV commentator Kalifara Séré disappeared following an interrogation by the Conseil supérieur de la communication (CSC) regarding his skepticism toward official state imagery. Later that year, authorities admitted he had been sent to the army, alongside Serge Oulon and Adama Bayala. To date, the locations of Serge Oulon and Adama Bayala remain unknown.
Furthermore, in November 2023, Lamine Ouattara, a member of the Mouvement burkinabè des droits de l’homme et des peuples (MBDHP), was abducted from his home by individuals claiming to be intelligence officers. Reports indicate he was also subjected to illegal military conscription.
The military leadership has frequently utilized broad emergency legislation to target dissidents, including journalists, activists, and judges, effectively using military service as a tool for suppression. While governments retain the right to mobilize citizens for national defense, such processes must be transparent, allowing individuals to understand the terms of service and contest their mobilization.
The Burkina Faso authorities must ensure the immediate release of all remaining detainees and halt the practice of weaponizing conscription to silence free speech and civil society.