The 94.0 FM frequency in Ouagadougou, once a powerful conduit for Radio France Internationale’s (RFI) broadcasts, has been formally reallocated to “Daandé Liptako” (The Voice of Liptako). This station is now the official media organ of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), marking a pivotal moment in the region’s geopolitical and informational realignment.
This move is far more than a simple administrative change. It represents the culmination of a strategic campaign by the military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to assert what they term “informational sovereignty.” The process began in late November with the signing of an agreement to create AES media outlets and was solidified on December 17 when Burkinabè authorities formally transferred the highly symbolic 94.0 FM frequency. This frequency’s history makes its reassignment particularly potent: it was the primary channel through which RFI, a pillar of France’s global media influence, reached audiences in Burkina Faso’s capital.
The context for RFI’s removal is critical to understanding this shift. The station was suspended by Burkinabè authorities in early December 2022—following a similar move by Mali—officially for broadcasting a message attributed to a terrorist leader. However, this action fits a broader pattern. The AES states, all former French colonies, have consistently framed Western media, and RFI in particular, as instruments of “imperialist” or “neocolonial” narratives that undermine their sovereignty and stability. The reallocation of this specific frequency sends an unambiguous message: RFI’s suspension is not temporary, but part of a permanent restructuring of the informational landscape.
Reconquest of Information: Building a Counter-Narrative
The launch of Daandé Liptako is explicitly framed as a corrective measure. Burkinabè Foreign Minister Olivia Rouamba described it as “an instrument of correction” to build a narrative “better suited” to the Sahelian context. This involves an active mission of “deconstructing disinformation,” as stated by the president of Burkina’s Superior Council of Communication (CSC). In practice, this means the radio will serve as a unified mouthpiece for the three regimes, promoting a narrative of pan-Sahelian solidarity, national sovereignty, and resistance to foreign interference—directly countering the perspectives often carried by international outlets like RFI.
This effort extends beyond rhetoric into the realm of soft power and psychological security. The AES leadership argues that controlling the narrative is essential for social cohesion and national defense, portraying Western media coverage as not merely biased but as an active threat to peace. The radio is thus positioned not just as a news source, but as a tool for ideological mobilization and the “carrying of the hopes of the peoples of the Sahel.”
Operational Blueprint: From Ouagadougou to the Entire Alliance
On a technical level, the station has secured a renewable three-year operating license. Its operational model is centralized yet designed for regional reach. Programming will be produced in Ouagadougou, broadcast in several national languages of the member states (such as Mooré, Bambara, and Fulfulde, alongside French), and transmitted simultaneously on frequencies in Niamey (Niger) and Bamako (Mali). This structure ensures a consistent message across the alliance while leveraging Burkina Faso’s initial momentum in establishing the infrastructure.
The official launch is slated for the second AES Heads of State summit in Bamako on December 22-23, elevating the station from a bureaucratic project to a flagship symbol of the confederation’s unity. Looking ahead, media directors from the three countries have previously discussed the potential for a joint web TV, suggesting that Daandé Liptako is likely just the first step in building a comprehensive AES media network.
Broader Implications: A New Chapter in Sahelian Geopolitics
This frequency takeover is a microcosm of the deeper rupture between the AES states and their former Western partners, particularly France. It mirrors the expulsion of French troops and the termination of long-standing military agreements. Control over information is seen as the logical complement to control over security policy. The move also challenges the traditional role of international broadcasters in conflict zones, where they have often been primary sources of information during crises.
The success of Daandé Liptako will depend on its ability to build credibility with local audiences who have long relied on a mix of international, local, and social media. Its impact will be measured not just by its signal strength, but by whether it can effectively reframe regional discourse and solidify domestic support for the AES project in the face of ongoing security and governance challenges.
Jeune Afrique
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