France expresses regret for French journalists' expulsion from Burkina Faso

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) — France voiced regret for a recent decision by Burkina Faso to expel correspondents of French newspapers from the West African nation.

"France reaffirms its constant and determined engagement in favor of the press freedom and the protection of journalists everywhere in the world," the French Foreign Ministry said on Sunday in a statement.

French media had reported earlier in the day that Burkina Faso had expelled reporters of French dailies Le Monde and Liberation.

The ministry noted that Burkina Faso had also suspended, a few days earlier, broadcasts by France 24 channel.

Sophie Douce of Le Monde Afrique and Agnes Faivre of Liberation were ordered by Burkinabe authorities to leave the capital Ouagadougou on Saturday, according to Le Monde.

They were verbally notified by Burkinabe state security officials, who told the journalists to leave the country within 24 hours and said their accreditation and press cards were canceled, the report noted.

The reasons for the deportation remain unclear.