Niger suspends BBC for 'spreading false news' after covering attack

Kuwait:

Africanews - Niger has suspended the BBC for three months, accusing the British broadcaster of spreading false information about a recent extremist attack. Communications Minister Raliou Sidi Mohamed claimed the BBC's broadcasts were aimed at destabilizing social calm and undermining military morale.

The suspension comes after the BBC's Hausa-language website reported an attack near the Burkina Faso border, alleging that gunmen killed over 90 Nigerien soldiers and more than 40 civilians. Radio France International (RFI) published similar reporting with identical casualty figures.

Niger's authorities vehemently denied the attack occurred and announced plans to file a complaint against RFI for "incitement to genocide." The BBC has not yet commented on the suspension.

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the region, where Niger, along with Burkina Faso and Mali, has been fighting a decade-long jihadi insurgency. Recent military coups in these countries have led to significant geopolitical shifts, including the expulsion of French forces and increased reliance on Russian mercenary units for security assistance.

The suspension will impact popular BBC programs broadcast through local radio partners, which typically reach a wide audience across the region.