Prosecutors in the military-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have initiated investigations against French journalist and researcher Wassim Nasr. He faces accusations of being an “apologist for terrorism” due to his analytical work on violent attacks in the Sahel region.
The military authorities have charged Nasr with criminal association and complicity in acts of terrorism, claiming that his detailed examination of a recent attack in Bamako on September 17, which resulted in over 70 fatalities, constitutes “blatant acts of publicity and support” for violent activities. The investigations also reference another attack on November 26, 2023, in Djibo, northern Burkina Faso, that claimed at least 40 lives.
Nasr, who resides in France, has not publicly commented on the accusations. However, he expressed solidarity with journalists in the Sahel facing oppression, stating, “A thought for our colleagues in the Sahel and for those who suffer from the arbitrary actions of these regimes.” This development underscores the ongoing complexities within the region.