West Africa is undergoing a period of democratic regression driven by military coups in countries like Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea-Bissau. This has led to an increased repression of press freedom, freedom of expression, accountability journalism, and attacks on journalists. As a result, a growing number of journalists have fled from their countries of origin, causing them to operate in exile.
This policy paper examines the drivers and consequences of journalists in exile. It also highlights insights from a webinar convened by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in March 2026, titled “Voices from Exile”.
The paper concludes with a proposal of actionable recommendations to safeguard press freedom, democratic governance, and the safety of journalists.
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