By Edward Makuzva
A coalition of African journalists under the banner, African Journalists Against Genocide, (AJAG) has strongly condemned what it describes as Israel’s “deliberate and intentional” targeting of Palestinian journalists in Gaza.
AJAG, founded by Nigerian broadcaster Ireti Bakare-Yusuf, brings together media professionals from over 20 African countries. In a joint video statement released this week, the coalition accused Israel of waging a campaign aimed at silencing the press and preventing the world from witnessing the full scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
According to AJAG, more than 250 journalists have been killed in Gaza since Israel declared its military campaign, making it the deadliest period for journalists in the 21st century.
The group noted that international reporters have been largely barred from entering Gaza, leaving local Palestinian journalists to document the conflict under life-threatening conditions.
“Without their voices, their eyes, their determination to inform, report, and document the atrocities on the ground, the world would be blind to the full scale of Israel’s genocidal campaign,” the coalition said in its statement.
The African journalists drew parallels between Israel’s actions and Africa’s own painful history of colonialism and apartheid. They urged the international community to treat Israel as it once treated apartheid South Africa—through sanctions and isolation—until justice is achieved.
The coalition emphasized that journalism is not a crime, but killing journalists is. It called for Israel to be held accountable under international law for war crimes, while warning that global silence and inaction only fuel impunity.
AJAG has also appealed to the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) and other press freedom organizations worldwide to amplify the call for justice and protection of media workers in Gaza.
“African voices cannot be silent,” the coalition stressed. “We demand an end to Israel’s genocide in Gaza—NOW.”