The coalition, African Journalists Against Genocide (AJAG), has condemned what it described as the deliberate targeting of Palestinian journalists in Gaza by Israeli forces.
The group announced its position in a statement, decrying what it called an attempt to silence Palestinian voices documenting the ongoing war.
According to AJAG, over two hundred journalists have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its military offensive, making it the deadliest period for journalists in the 21st century.
The coalition noted that Israel had blocked most international media from entering Gaza, forcing the world to rely on Palestinian journalists working under extreme danger to report on the humanitarian crisis.
“The deliberate targeting of these journalists indicates the Israeli state’s clear strategy of suppressing the truth and silencing the media. 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 statement read.
The journalists said they viewed the attacks as a punishment for Palestinian reporters simply telling the world the truth. Drawing parallels with Africa’s history, AJAG added: “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 demanded accountability under international law, stressing that reporting war crimes is not a crime, but killing journalists is.
“Journalism is the lifeblood of truth. It echoes the voice of the people, holds government to account, and interrogates the actions and policies that shape the lives of citizens,” AJAG said.
It also called on the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), national journalist unions, and other continental and international press bodies to amplify their demand for justice.
“African voices cannot be silent. Demand an end to Israel’s genocide in Gaza, now,” the statement urged.
AJAG, founded by Nigerian broadcast journalist, Ireti Bakare-Yusuf, brings together media professionals from more than 20 African countries.