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In francophone Africa, the security of political refugee journalists is under threat

September 18, 2025

Beninese journalist Comlan Hugues Sossoukpè, who had refugee status in Togo, was arrested in Côte d'Ivoire and extradited to Benin despite international refugee protections that should have safeguarded him. Sossoukpè, director of "Olofofo" publication and a vocal critic of Beninese President Patrice Talon, was in Abidjan covering the Ivoire Tech Forum at the invitation of Côte d'Ivoire's Ministry of Digital Transition when authorities arrested him at his hotel on July 10, 2025. The Beninese government has charged him with "online harassment," "rebellion," and "glorification of terrorism," while Côte d'Ivoire justified the extradition by claiming they were unaware of his refugee status and were following judicial cooperation agreements with Benin.

Who is affected

  • Comlan Hugues Sossoukpè, Beninese journalist and director of "Olofofo" publication
  • Refugee journalists and political activists across Africa who may now face similar cross-border repression
  • Other Beninese critics of President Patrice Talon's government, such as cyberactivist Steve Amoussou who was similarly arrested in Togo
  • Media freedom in Benin, which has fallen from 89th to 92nd place in the 2025 Reporters Without Borders ranking

What action is being taken

  • Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is documenting and reporting on Sossoukpè's case
  • Sossoukpè's lawyer, Gameli Nouwade, is publicly denouncing the arrest as "judicial banditry"
  • Côte d'Ivoire's government is defending its actions, with government spokesman Amadou Coulibaly claiming they were simply executing an international arrest warrant
  • Beninese authorities are pursuing legal charges against Sossoukpè for alleged online harassment, rebellion, and glorification of terrorism

Why it matters

  • The case undermines international refugee law protections for journalists in exile, as both Benin and Côte d'Ivoire are signatories to these agreements
  • The extradition could establish a dangerous legal precedent that allows other African countries to hand over exiled journalists to their home countries
  • It demonstrates the growing vulnerability of media professionals who criticize governments in Africa, even when they seek asylum elsewhere
  • The incident highlights the strong political and judicial cooperation between Benin and Côte d'Ivoire that potentially prioritizes bilateral relationships over international refugee protections

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices

In francophone Africa, the security of political refugee journalists is under threat