(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Home Affairs Emile Boga Doudou, RSF expressed concern about the death threats against Abdoulaye Sangaré, managing editor of the independent daily “Le Jour”, and Patrice Guéhi, publisher of the newspaper “Le Patriote”. “These threats are unacceptable. We ask you to guarantee the security of these journalists,” said […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Home Affairs Emile Boga Doudou, RSF expressed concern about the death threats against Abdoulaye Sangaré, managing editor of the independent daily “Le Jour”, and Patrice Guéhi, publisher of the newspaper “Le Patriote”. “These threats are unacceptable. We ask you to guarantee the security of these journalists,” said RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard. “They must be allowed to do their work without hindrance and fear for their life and their families’,” Ménard added.
According to information obtained by RSF, Sangaré has been fearing for his life since 21 July 2001. According to the journalist, the decision to kill him was made by high level authorities because he is considered to have “sensitive information” about the president. A reward of fifty million CFA francs (approx. US$67,113; 76,224 Euros) has reportedly been promised for his assassination. That same day, Guéhi stated that he was warned by friends in the police that the Counter-Espionage Services (Direction de la surveillance du territoire, DST) had decided to assassinate him and his family. His newspaper is regarded as the quasi-official organ of opposition figure Alassane Ouattara’s Rally for Republicans (Rassemblement des républicains, RDR).
RSF also recalled the deadly attack that took place at the home of Laurent Tapé Koulou, publisher of the private daily “Le National”, on 20 June, while he was on assignment abroad. The journalist’s sister and friend were shot dead by unidentified individuals (see IFEX alert of 25 June 2001). The investigation into this incident continues.
