Malian private television station Joliba TV News has ceased broadcasting after the Malian government revoked its license, reportedly in response to a complaint from Burkina Faso’s government, as reported on Tuesday.
Both Mali and Burkina Faso are governed by military regimes following coups in 2020 and 2022, respectively. Along with Niger, they form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a confederation of junta-led nations.
The Malian High Authority for Communication (HAC) revoked Joliba’s license last week over remarks aired earlier this month. The comments, made by Malian political figure Issa Kaou N’Djim, reportedly targeted a foreign head of state, sparking the complaint from Burkina Faso’s authorities.
N’Djim, once an ally of Malian junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita, has since distanced himself from the regime. He was arrested in Bamako and faces charges for “offences committed publicly against a foreign head of state.” His court appearance is scheduled for next month.
Negotiations between Joliba TV News and Malian authorities are underway to allow the station to resume operations, according to sources close to the case.
