African journalists condemn killing of colleagues in Gaza, demand sanctions on Israel

A coalition of African journalists under the banner of African Journalists Against Genocide (AJAG) has condemned Israel’s alleged targeting of Palestinian journalists in Gaza, calling for accountability and sanctions against the Israeli government.

AJAG, founded by Nigerian broadcast journalist Ireti Bakare-Yusuf, brings together media professionals from more than 20 African countries. The group said over 250 journalists have been killed in Gaza, describing it as the deadliest period for journalists in the 21st century.

In a statement, the coalition accused Israel of silencing Palestinian voices by preventing international journalists from entering Gaza, leaving local reporters to risk their lives documenting the humanitarian crisis.

“The deliberate targeting of these journalists indicates a clear strategy of suppressing the truth and silencing media,” AJAG said. “Without their voices, the world would be blind to the scale of Israel’s campaign against a besieged population.”

The group said its members had spoken in unison through a solidarity video, stressing that Palestinian journalists were being punished simply for telling the truth.

“As Africans, we know too well the ugly face of colonialism, occupation and apartheid. We call on the international community to apply sanctions and treat Israel as it once treated apartheid South Africa,” the coalition declared.

AJAG further emphasized that reporting on alleged war crimes cannot be criminalized. “Killing journalists is a crime. Israel must be held accountable under international law,” it added.

The coalition urged the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), national press unions, and global media organizations to demand justice for Palestinian reporters, insisting: “Journalism is the lifeblood of truth. African voices cannot be silent.”