Washington: Burkinabe journalist Mariam Ouédraogo, representing the state daily Sidwaya, has been awarded the prestigious 32nd African Investigative Journalism Award-Mohamed Maïga. This accolade, named in honor of the late Malian journalist Mohamed Maïga, was presented to Ouédraogo on Tuesday in Washington. The award commemorates Maïga’s dedication to the Sankarist Revolution and his untimely death in Ouagadougou on January 1, 1984, under circumstances that remain unresolved.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Ouédraogo expressed her gratitude during the award ceremony, stating, “It is with great pleasure and great honor that I accept this trophy. I hope to embody the values of Mohamed Maïga and continue his fight by giving voice to the voiceless and amplifying the cries of distress of women wounded by terrorism.” She emphasized the importance of the award in encouraging African journalists to pursue investigative work on crucial issues affecting the continent.
Ouédraogo dedicated her award to women a
nd girls affected by the conflicts in the Sahel and other parts of the world, highlighting their use as weapons of war. In her reports, she has shed light on the plight of women in Burkina Faso, who have suffered abuse at the hands of terrorists and subsequent rejection by their communities. The award, organized by the Mohamed Maïga Association in partnership with Reporters Without Borders (RSF), celebrates African journalists who tackle subjects close to Maïga’s heart, such as human rights and the right to information.
Ouédraogo was the sole female nominee in her category and triumphed over notable journalists including David Dembélé from Mali, Stephen Nartey from Ghana, Noël Konan from Côte d’Ivoire, and Bakare Majeed from Nigeria. Her recognition is a testament to her extensive investigations into sexual violence linked to terrorism. Known for her dedication to vulnerable populations, Ouédraogo has consistently highlighted the hardships faced by women, children, and marginalized communities.
Mariam Ouédr
aogo’s impressive career boasts 21 national and international awards. In 2023, she received the prestigious Knight International Journalism Award from the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) in the United States, recognizing her impactful journalism. Previously, she was the first African woman to earn the Bayeux Calvados-Normandy War Correspondents Award in 2022. Her accolades in Burkina Faso include the Anti-Corruption Prize from the National Anti-Corruption Network (REN-LAC) in 2019 and the Galian Prize for best investigation in 2020. She also won the Marie-Soleil-Frère Prize as the best Burkinabe journalist for three consecutive years.
The RSF Press Freedom Awards, in its 32nd edition, featured five major categories including the Courage Award, Impact Award, Independence Award, Lucas Dolega – SAIF Photo Award, and the newly introduced African Investigative Journalism Award – Mohamed Maïga. This year’s honorees included 18 journalists and groups, two media outlets, and five photojournalists from 22
countries. The jury was chaired by Pierre Haski, RSF president and French columnist, with renowned members such as Indian journalist Rana Ayyub, Le Monde’s Raphaëlle Bacqué, Syrian lawyer Mazen Darwish, DER SPIEGEL’s Frederik Obermaier, and noted war reporter Patrick Chauvel. Contributions also came from Karine Pierre, 2023 winner of the Lucas Dolega Photo Prize, and Sadibou Marong, head of RSF’s Africa desk.