In a spirit of solidarity and shared vision for the future of Christian media in French-speaking Africa, two pioneering associations, Radio Réveil France and Radios Ébène Développement, have merged to form a new entity: Médias Ébène. This strategic union, made official in March 2024, marks a decisive turning point in the development and training of media in French-speaking Africa.

Serge Carrel

Médias Ébène: A unique mission to make a difference!

Technical support, guidance, and training: this is how the Médias Ébène association supports Christian radio stations in French-speaking Africa. Today, this region faces major challenges, including the rise of religious extremism. In this context, Christian radio stations in Senegal, Mali, Chad, Benin, Ivory Coast, and Cameroon—through their impressive numbers—are raising a voice that can make a difference in the name of Jesus Christ!

Through their programming, these radio stations empower communities to respond appropriately to the spread of Islamism. They promote respectful understanding of others and raise awareness of the importance of a culture of peace in the face of ethnic and religious hostilities. They also contribute, through holistic radio, to the fight against poverty.

In Africa, radio is the medium par excellence. Encouraging, training, and bringing together those involved in the field requires a variety of forms of support. The hiring this spring of a full-time staff member to coordinate this network with local partners is a major undertaking. This will enable Médias Ébène to provide evangelical, Pentecostal, Methodist, and Reformed radio stations with the resources to nurture a hope rooted in Jesus Christ.

As a journalist, I have participated in training seminars. These provided an opportunity to offer presenters additional guidance on improving their on-air presence, raising awareness about fake news that distorts perceptions of reality, and introducing them to reporting and investigative journalism. These are all techniques that enable these individuals to be “salt and light” in a context marked by violence and destructive forces.

Thank you in advance for your help in developing this unique project!

Serge Carrel, pastor and journalist

You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world…Matthew 5:13–14

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radio antennas in Chad

Threat to private radio stations in Chad – A call for solidarity

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Pontarlier, May 17, 2025. Thirteen private radio stations, including five Christian stations, are at risk of disappearing as a result of a decision by the High Authority for Media and Audiovisual (HAMA). With a deadline deemed too short to comply with the requirements, these essential media outlets are calling for urgent support.

Compliance under pressure

The High Authority for Media and Audiovisual Communication (HAMA) requires new private radio stations in Chad to begin broadcasting quickly and to strictly comply with regulations before June 12, 2025. Thirteen stations are affected, including five Christian radio stations that enrich the media landscape and offer spiritual support to communities that often lack other sources of information.

A crucial issue for social cohesion

Among the stations under threat are FM Adventiste (N'Djamena), La Vie Nouvelle (Gagal), Koode Kandam (Dourbali), Matchiwala (Baktchoro), and FM Philadelphia (Kélo). Some have been in existence for several years, others have just been launched, but all face financial and administrative challenges. In response to this situation, the Médias Ebène association is calling for action to obtain an extension and concrete support so that these radio stations can continue their essential mission.

Denis Steffen, treasurer of the Médias Ébène association

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Ebène Media at "La Place" from May 8 to 10

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For its first appearance in Europe, the Médias Ebène association has chosen to participate in the "La Place" event in Paris in order to introduce its activities to the public. Organized under the auspices of the Oïkonomia Foundation and the Evangelical Center, this event aims to create a space for exchange, encounters, and celebration around evangelical Protestant initiatives. Médias Ebène will be represented during these three days by the members of its board: Denis Steffen, Christian Gaspoz, and Emmanuel Ziehli.

From Thursday, May 8 to Saturday, May 10, from 9:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., Médias Ebène will take part in this event alongside more than 230 exhibitors. This strategic presence aims to strengthen the association's foothold in the French Protestant landscape.

Place 2025 enjoys the support of major partners such as the Nogent Bible Institute, CNEF Jeunesse and its network, SEL, Portes Ouvertes, the Protestant Family Associations, and CPDH – the Evangelical Protestant Committee for Human Dignity. These collaborations help to enrich the program and ensure that the event lives up to the public's expectations.

Join "La Place"

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Illia Djadi in 2023 in Lomé

The Sahel, epicenter of global terrorism: a conference in Geneva

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On the sidelines of the conference to be held on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the University of Geneva, Uni Mail, room MS150, Illia Djadi, a member of our association, was invited to appear on Swiss National Radio RTS. He offered perspective on a region that, for the first time, accounts for "more than half of all terrorism-related deaths , " according to the Global Terror Index (GTI). Burkina Faso tops this index. The urgency of the actions carried out by Médias Ébène through the media, as vectors promoting peaceful coexistence, is more pressing than ever.

For several years now, this area stretching across Africa from east to west (mainly Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mauritania) has seen a worrying rise in jihadist groups such as the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM, affiliated with Al-Qaeda), and Boko Haram in the Lake Chad basin.

Several factors contribute to this situation:

  • The fragility of states and the lack of control over vast territories
  • Governance crises and political instability (recent coups)
  • Inter-community conflicts exploited by terrorists
  • Poverty and lack of economic opportunities
  • Climate change exacerbating tensions over resources

The withdrawal of Western forces (notably French forces with the end of Operation Barkhane) and tense relations with regional organizations have created a security vacuum. At the same time, the influence of groups such as Wagner (now Africa Corps) has grown in the region.

This concentration of terrorist activity, combined with geographical expansion into coastal countries such as Benin, Togo, and Côte d'Ivoire, justifies considering the Sahel as a new epicenter of global terrorism.

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Médias Ébène active in the launch of Koode Kisndam radio station in Chad

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Radio Koode Kisndam in Dourbali, in the Chari Barguimi region, was officially inaugurated on February 13, World Radio Day. This unique and unprecedented event marked a milestone in the history of the town, which now has its very first radio station.

Dourbali, February 21, 2025

Administrative authorities, including the regional governor, as well as traditional and religious authorities, were present alongside the residents of Dourbali to celebrate this instrument, in which they have placed all their hopes for long-awaited development.

Radio Koode Kisndam, housed in its own premises built by its promoter, Moussa Batchaguine, nicknamed here "the pastor of the Bororos," broadcasts on 99.1 FM with a 1,000-watt transmitter and a 42-meter-high tower. It will serve a cosmopolitan and predominantly Muslim population, which is very attached to oral tradition and listening to the radio.

Although dedicated and open to the public, Koode Kisndam still faces the challenge of completing its facilities, notably by installing a lightning rod to protect its equipment from the frequent electrical storms in the region.

Médias Ebène contributed to this launch by providing comprehensive training to the radio teams, covering topics such as rigorous financial resource management, fundraising, marketing, the use of artificial intelligence in program creation, and the use of technical equipment. These training sessions were led by our volunteers Christian Gaspoz and Emmanuel Ziehli.

Administrative authorities, including the regional governor, as well as traditional and religious leaders, joined the residents of Dourbali to celebrate the inauguration of this new radio station.

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Successful training for radio technicians at Médias Ebène in Lomé

The Forum of Christian Media in Francophone Africa (FOMECAF) has just successfully concluded a series of training sessions led by two renowned experts, Christian Gaspoz and Denis Steffen, sent by the Ebène Media Association. These training sessions, which took place from May 7 to 9, 2024, at the HEST premises in Lomé, brought together sixty-nine (69) Christian media professionals from a dozen Christian, state, and even commercial radio stations in Togo.

Christian Gaspoz, an experienced radio engineer, led a workshop on transmitter maintenance methodology, bringing joy, success, and relief to the participants. Despite initial challenges related to varying levels of knowledge, Gaspoz captivated the audience with his dynamic teaching approach. Participants gained a thorough understanding of technical vocabulary and were introduced to the recognition of different functional modules of FM transmitters. In addition, Gaspoz expressed his gratitude for identifying participants with prior experience, paving the way for future collaboration on continuing distance learning.

For his part, Denis Steffen shared his expertise during a workshop focused on the use of digital tools in Christian broadcasting. Over three days, participants were immersed in the fundamentals of Christian communication, incorporating the latest technological advances available in sub-Saharan Africa. Topics ranging from program scheduling to the use of artificial intelligence were covered, giving participants a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities in today's media landscape.

The conclusion of the training was marked by the dedication of Denis Steffen's book, "Christian Radio: A Manual for Building in the Digital Sphere," as well as the presentation of certificates to participants. A WhatsApp group was also created to facilitate the sharing of resources and maintain the network of contacts established during the event.

“I remain convinced that the future will reveal the changes brought about by these three days,” said Denis Steffen, reflecting the optimism shared by all participants regarding the lasting impact of this training.

FOMECAF thus continues to play a crucial role in capacity building and professional development for Christian media actors in Africa.

TVT Togolese television news

About the Ebène Media Association

In a spirit of solidarity and shared vision for the future of Christian media in French-speaking Africa, two pioneering associations, Radio Réveil France and Radios Ébène Développement, have merged to form a new entity: Médias Ébène. This strategic union, made official in March 2024, marks a decisive turning point in the development and training of media in French-speaking Africa.

On March 16, 2024, the French association "Radio Réveil," known for its radio content creation, broadcasting, and training programs, adopted new statutes and a new name. A week later, on March 23, "Radios Ébène Développement," which specializes in providing technical equipment and support to radio stations, voted to dissolve and transfer its assets and projects to "Médias Ébène."

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OUAGA 2023, the first of FOMECAF's decentralized seminars

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The FOMECAF leadership is pleased to inform Christian media actors in French-speaking Africa of a decentralized seminar called OUAGA 2023, to be held from October 30 to November 3, 2023, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

With the aim of bringing its actions closer to sympathetic countries and supporting work at the national level more effectively, this year the Forum is organizing, in collaboration with Radio Réveil, a decentralized meeting in the capital of Burkina Faso, one of the current theaters of conflict in the subregion.

Under the theme: Media, tools for peace in a world in conflict – OUAGA 2023, this seminar follows on from FOMECAF's fervent desire to equip and empower Christian media actors to play a role in preventing and appeasing conflicts on the continent through their action plan.

Participants at OUAGA 2023 will mainly come from countries neighboring Burkina Faso, the host country. These include Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, and Togo.

The leaders of the Forum des Médias Chrétiens d’Afrique Francophone (Forum of Christian Media in French-speaking Africa) therefore urge media professionals to continue to make use of the tools already made available to them and still available on the organization's official channels:

Medias Africa:https://medias.africa/tv/
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@fomecaf6161
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/fomecaf
All voices at FOMECAF agree in inviting everyone to continue praying and uniting in intention for the success of this meeting.

As for stakeholders in Central and East African countries, they are reminded that seminars are being prepared and that very soon they too will have the opportunity to host the Forum.

Confident that your interest in the various initiatives led by FOMECAF remains strong and renewed, we wish each and every one of you all the best for the future.

See you soon for another uplifting and inspiring reunion!

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The Lomé 5 meetings: an assessment with Illia Djadi and Emmanuel Ziehli

Encouraging journalists, presenters, and technicians working for Christian radio stations in French-speaking Africa is the aim of the Lomé meetings. From February 20 to 24, Emmanuel Ziehli, director of Radio R, traveled to Lomé to take part in the fifth edition of this seminar. The theme was: "Media: tools for peace in a world in conflict." A review of this event can be found in "Un R d'Actu" on RADIO R.

On Tuesday, March 7, Emmanuel Ziehli, director of Radio R, and Illia Djadi, analyst for the NGO Open Doors, reviewed the fifth edition of the Lomé meetings organized by FOMECAF (Forum of Christian Media in French-speaking Africa).

This year, these networking and continuing education meetings, aimed in particular at journalists, presenters, and directors of religious radio stations in French-speaking Africa, addressed the theme: "Media: tools for peace in a world in conflict."

Illia Djadi was the keynote speaker. He encouraged the 70 or so participants to use radio as a tool to promote coexistence and give everyone a voice on Christian radio stations, including representatives of the Muslim community. (c)

Listen to the program "Un R d'Actu" with Illia Djadi (Open Doors), Emmanuel Ziehli (Radio Réveil), Abdoulaye Cissé (Mali), and Alphonse Teyabé (Cameroon).

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LOME 5: MEDIA AS TOOLS FOR PEACE IN A WORLD IN CONFLICT

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More than 70 Christian media professionals from French-speaking Africa will gather at the OCDI in Lomé from February 20 to 24, 2023, with the aim of strengthening their capacities and exchanging ideas within the framework of the Forum des Medias Chrétiens d'Afrique Francophone (FOMECAF). Illia Djadi, journalist and human rights defender, will be the keynote speaker at this fifth edition, which will focus on the theme "Media: Tools for Peace in a World in Conflict." Under the patronage of the Ministry of Communication and Media, its minister, Professor Akodah Ayewouadan, will be the guest of honor at the opening ceremony.

FOMECAF is meeting for the fifth time in the Togolese capital. More than 70 participants from nearly 15 countries are expected to attend this important gathering of Christian media from French-speaking Africa. In addition, after two editions organized despite the Covid pandemic
, this edition marks the return of four practical workshops led by distinguished international guests: Joël Pelet, Director of Canal Alpha television in Switzerland; Christian Gaspoz, Director of Radios Ébène Développement in Paris; Denis Steffen, radio consultant and member of the board of directors of Radio Réveil, and Pierre-Yves Mutrux, project manager for the international organization Galcom in Canada. The Swiss association Radio Réveil is co-organizing the event for the last time and is represented by its president, Emmanuel Ziehli. This edition marks the end of a transition process, with the future now belonging exclusively to African leaders.

Illia DJADI, keynote speaker for this edition

In a world shaken by repeated conflicts that disrupt the economy and life in nations, Illia DJADI, drawing on his experience as an analyst, will provide his peers with insights into the issue of conflict on the continent and the tools needed to intervene in the context of peacekeeping.
He will find the best words to help the journalists participating in this meeting understand how to be "tools of peace" when peace is threatened in their coverage area. Throughout his presentation, he will return to the issues of conflict in Africa and around the world; radio and social media as possible weapons of mass destruction; and what could be the
contribution of the media in conflict prevention...

Appointed keynote speaker, Illia DJADI is responsible for issues of religious freedom and belief in Sub-Saharan Africa on behalf of the international NGO Open Doors. Illia is an expert in this field and speaks in the media and at international forums to raise awareness about the rise of religious extremism in Africa and the dangers threatening "living together" on the continent. Originally from Niger, he lives in London, where he has been actively involved in the development of FOMECAF for several years.

Lomé 5 in plenary sessions and workshops

Lomé is once again in plenary-workshop format. The plenary sessions, which will be held every morning, will be moments of great edification with experienced speakers who are well-equipped on the subject. Accustomed to seminars and fully involved in establishing media convergence in Africa, the various leaders will, one after the other over five days, develop topics that will help equip participants to become true actors in easing tensions on the continent.
The return of practical workshops in the afternoons will also bring added value to participants. Four workshops are offered to participants, including "Sound in the Studio" by Pierre-Yves Mutrux, "Filmed Radio" by Joël Pelet, and "FM Transmitter" by Christian Gaspot.

Internet broadcasting and leadership

The plenary sessions and workshops of Lomé 5 will be broadcast live and then recorded on FOMECAF's various channels, particularly Facebook and YouTube.

The leaders of FOMECAF will work on issues concerning the new direction to be taken by the organization. These five meetings are one of the major activities of Lomé 5 (c).

About FOMECAF

FOMECAF was founded in Lomé in 2019 on the sidelines of media training seminars.
It brings together around 50 religious media actors in French-speaking Africa.

Its leadership consists of:

1. Dr. Abdoualye Sangho, Trans World Radio (TWR), Ivory Coast
2. Dr. Etienne Kiemdé, Radio Évangile et Développement, Burkina Faso
3. Illia Djadi, Open Doors London
4. Olivia Beugre, Radio la Voix de l’Espérance, Ivory Coast
5. Juliette Kpessou, Radio Hosanna, Benin
6. Rev. Timothée Amegan, Mediaafrique media training, Togo
7. Dr. Alphonse Teyabé, media consultant, Cameroon
8. Benjamin Holl, Radio Vie Nouvelle, Cameroon
9. Dr. Augustin Ahoga, theologian and sociologist, Benin
10. Blaise Gaïtou, National Director of JEM, Niger
11. Koffi Ahonon, National Director of Compassion, Togo
12. Mawuena Abotschi, Permanent Secretary in Lomé, Togo

The names in bold make up the executive committee. Two international players are joining us for the last time this year:

13. Emmanuel Ziehli, President of Radio Réveil, France
14. Henriette Saindon, Secretary of Africa by Radio, South Africa

Download the press release 

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FOMECAF enters into partnership with AbR and launches news agency

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The fourth Lomé meeting was held in the Togolese capital from November 22 to 26. Due to pandemic restrictions, around 50 representatives of French-speaking Christian media outlets were able to attend the event in person. Some 500 people logged on to the internet to follow the event either in part or in full. Olivia Beugre from Côte d'Ivoire gave an update on FOMECAF's activities during the closing ceremony. Echoes.

"The sustainability of our forum is only possible with the support of each and every one of you!" With these words, Olivia Beugre concluded her review at the closing ceremony of the fourth edition of the Lomé meetings, held from November 22 to 26. The editor-in-chief of Radio La Voix de l'Espérance in Abidjan welcomed the presence of some 50 journalists, presenters, and radio directors from 13 French-speaking African countries. In addition, some 500 people connected via Zoom, YouTube, or Facebook to follow the discussions, which focused on the theme of "Media and the Generation Gap."

Develop a partnership with AbR

As spokesperson for the ten leaders responsible for the Forum of Christian Media in French-speaking Africa (FOMECAF), Olivia Beugre outlined some prospects for future joint activities. First, there will be a partnership with AbR Media, a mainly English-speaking media network that offers support to Christian radio stations across the African continent.

The woman from La Voix de l’espérance radio station also noted that Dodji Juliette Kpessou from Radio Hosanna in Porto-Novo (Benin) and Benjamin Holl from Radio Vie nouvelle in Douala (Cameroon) would take over the running of the press agency, which publishes various written and radio contributions on the FOMECAF website. They will be supported by Joseph Ykio Gnahoua and Franceline Sehi from Côte d'Ivoire.

Promoting the satellite radio station "New Life"

FOMECAF officials have also decided to promote the French-language satellite radio station Nouvelle Vie within their organization, in order to enable the resumption of broadcasts by this partner. In addition, a web radio bank will be available online with a view to resuming certain programs that may be of interest to local radio stations, which sometimes lack original content.

From a structural point of view, Olivia Beugre also noted that a transitional body would be created to better involve Africans in the organization of FOMECAF meetings and training programs.

An award presented to Abdoulaye Cissé, radio director in Timbuktu

At the end of the closing ceremony, Emmanuel Ziehli presented the François Sergy Award to Abdoulaye Cissé, director of Radio Tahanint (mercy) in Timbuktu (Mali). A pastor in the Evangelical Baptist Church of Timbuktu, Abdoulaye has distinguished himself by his courage in continuing his Christian witness in a context particularly threatened by radical Islam. In 2012, after the radio station was looted, Abdoulaye's home was also ransacked. In 2017, three young people were murdered in front of Radio Tahanint, including two of the station's presenters. In addition to his radio and pastoral activities, Abdoulaye Cissé also broadcasts Christian programs on some 40 radio stations in northern Mali, for which he is paid. (c)

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The Lomé meetings in brief

The "Lomé" meetings began in January 2019. They offer Christian media professionals from French-speaking Africa the opportunity to receive a week of training and to network in order to develop a dynamic of exchange between professionals from different countries.

In January 2019, Radio Réveil en Suisse, an association that produces radio programs for the entire French-speaking world, decided to mark its 70th anniversary by inviting its radio partners in Africa to a training session in Lomé. Around 100 people took part in the event and signed the Lomé Declaration of Lomé. The signatories pledged to renounce competition between evangelical and Protestant radio stations and to pool resources to improve the quality of their programs.

During the second edition of the Lomé meetings, the 170 or so participants engaged in a discussion on the theme "Let's invent integral radio! ." They also decided to create the Forum of Christian Media in French-speaking Africa (FOMECAF) with the following founding committee members: Olivia Adiko, journalist and editor-in-chief of La Voix de l'espérance (Ivory Coast), Dr. Alphonse Teyabe, communications consultant (Cameroon), Timothée Amegan, pastor and CEO of Médiafrique (Togo), and Emmanuel Ziehli, director of Radio Réveil (Switzerland).

In 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lomé 3 offered around 50 participants in person and 100 online the opportunity to reflect on "Media convergence and job versatility."

The Lomé 1 report

The Lomé 2 report

The Lomé 3 report

Current members of the FOMECAF committee

The following individuals are members of the FOMECAF core network or committee: Olivia Adiko Beugre (Radio la Voix de l’Espérance; Abidjan), Dodji Juliette Kpessou (Radio Hosanna, Porto-Novo), Dr. Augustin Ahoga (theologian and anthropologist, Benin), Timothée Amegan (Médiafrique, Lomé), Illia Djadi (Open Doors, London), Blaise Gaïtou, director of YWAM Niger, Benjamin Holl (Radio Vie nouvelle, Douala), Etienne Kiemdé (Radio Évangile et développement, Ouagadougou), Koffi Ahonon (CICERI and Compassion, Lomé), Dr. Abdoulaye Sangho (TWR, Abidjan), Dr. Alphonse Teyabe (media consultant, Douala), and Emmanuel Ziehli (Radio Réveil France).

About:

Forum of Christian Media in French-speaking Africa https://medias.africa/

Radio Réveil Suisse et France https://radioreveil.ch/ | https://radio-reveil.org/

AbR Medias South Africa: https://abrmedia.org/

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