Congo Journalist Rosie Pioth Receives Death Threats Over Airport Bombing Report

July 24, 2025 – Congo – 

Rosie Pioth, a prominent Congolese journalist and correspondent for France 24, has gone into hiding after receiving death threats for her reporting on the 43rd anniversary of the 1982 bombing of Maya-Maya International Airport in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. The bombing, which killed multiple people, remains a deeply sensitive topic in the country, having been largely erased from public memory with no official commemoration or acknowledgement.

Pioth published an article on July 17, 2025, marking the anniversary and questioning the lack of national recognition for the tragedy. Shortly after, she and her husband received explicit threats via social media and messaging platforms. One chilling message warned: “You have 72 hours to stop your publications… the unpredictable is not far away, dear infiltrator.” In response, Pioth has taken protective measures and plans to file a formal complaint with the Brazzaville prosecutor’s office.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the threats and called on Congolese authorities to investigate immediately and ensure Pioth’s safety. Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa Program Coordinator, stressed that such threats, when ignored by the government, foster a climate of fear and self-censorship that undermines press freedom.

Pioth is a well-established journalist with years of experience reporting for France 24, AP Video, Deutsche Welle, and Africanews. She also leads Fact Checking Congo, a platform that combats misinformation and promotes transparency in Congolese media. Her work often centers on uncovering historical injustices and amplifying overlooked narratives.

Local journalist unions and advocacy groups have also rallied behind Pioth, urging authorities to act swiftly and protect her right to report without intimidation. So far, the Congolese government has not publicly responded to inquiries about the threats or offered any assurances regarding her safety.

Pioth’s situation reflects a troubling pattern of intimidation against journalists in the Republic of the Congo, particularly when they cover topics that challenge official narratives. Her case underscores the urgent need for protection for investigative journalists who risk their safety to preserve public memory and historical accountability in politically sensitive environments.

Reference – 

Congo journalist Rosie Pioth sent death threats for anniversary report on 1982 airport bombing