By Ammar M. Rajab *Coalition demands international sanctions against Israel over journalist deaths A newly formed pan-African coalition o...
By Ammar M. Rajab
*Coalition demands international sanctions against Israel over journalist deaths
A newly formed pan-African coalition of media professionals has strongly condemned what it describes as the “deliberate and systematic targeting” of Palestinian journalists in Gaza by the Israeli military.
Operating under the banner of African Journalists Against Genocide (AJAG), the coalition—which comprises journalists from more than 20 African countries—issued a scathing statement this week denouncing Israel's actions and calling for global accountability.
The group was founded by Nigerian broadcast journalist Ireti Bakare-Yusuf in response to the ongoing war in Gaza, where over 250 journalists have been killed since the conflict escalated—marking what AJAG describes as “the deadliest period for journalists in the 21st century.”
“In Gaza, the Israeli government has not only declared war on a civilian population but is systematically eliminating the very journalists reporting these atrocities,” the statement reads. “This is a direct assault on press freedom and a calculated effort to silence the truth.”
The coalition noted that with most international journalists barred from entering Gaza, global awareness of the situation has depended almost entirely on the work of local Palestinian reporters. AJAG argues that targeting these journalists represents a strategy by Israel to suppress coverage of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
AJAG released a video message featuring African journalists speaking in unison against the killings. The group framed the attacks as part of a broader genocidal campaign and drew historical parallels to Africa’s own experiences with colonialism and apartheid.
“As Africans, we know too well the ugly face of colonialism, occupation and apartheid,” the coalition said. “We call on the international community to impose sanctions on Israel, just as it did against apartheid South Africa. Silence is complicity.”
The coalition is also urging the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) and other press freedom organisations across the continent and beyond to amplify its call for justice and accountability under international law.
“Reporting war crimes is not a crime. Killing journalists is,” AJAG stated. “Journalism is the lifeblood of truth. The world must not turn a blind eye.”
AJAG has also signalled plans to broaden its advocacy to include media attention on crises in Sudan, Congo, and Haiti.
Updates on its activities and campaigns can be found via its Instagram account, @VoicesofAJAG.
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