The arrest of influential Sunni preacher Mohamed Ishaq Kindo just before Tabaski has sent shockwaves through Burkina Faso. Details surrounding his detention remain scarce, with no official explanation provided to the public. Yet, the Federation of Islamic Associations (Faib) has already urged calm and respect for state institutions.
Witnesses reported seeing plainclothes police and military personnel detain the imam around 2 p.m. on Tuesday (May 26, 2026). Attempts by worshippers to intervene sparked clashes, leaving several injured.
Tensions have been escalating for months over a controversial religious freedoms bill. The proposed law seeks to reinforce state secularism, regulate places of worship in public institutions, and curb extremist tendencies. These measures have faced fierce opposition, particularly from Muslim organizations that demand its withdrawal.
A striking audio message from Imam Kindo circulated this week, in which he urged authorities to “reconsider the consequences of their actions before proceeding further.”
Hours after his arrest, a pro-imam demonstration in Ouagadougou was forcibly dispersed using tear gas.
This incident is not an isolated case. In late March, Imam Mahmoud Barro vanished following criticism of the same legislative proposal.
Another troubling development involves the suspension of the General Union of Burkinabè Students (Ugeb) for three months—renewable—for alleged “terrorism glorification.”
The suspension stems from a statement condemning authorities for their “clear incapacity” to address insecurity and broken security promises.
Human rights groups condemn crackdown on dissent
Human Rights Watch highlighted the Ugeb’s long-standing role in advocating for student welfare and broader social justice since its 1960 founding. The organization described the union as “a vital voice in struggles for transparency and justice.”
A prosecutor in Ouagadougou confirmed an investigation into the Ugeb’s statement, with an exiled Burkinabè citizen quoted by HRW arguing that judicial proceedings increasingly reflect “submission to the junta’s political and security agenda.”
The human rights group demands the immediate revocation of sanctions against the Ugeb and “an end to the suppression of independent voices and fundamental freedoms.” HRW asserts that “silencing students will not resolve Burkina Faso’s worsening security and governance crisis, nor curb the rising tide of Islamist insurgent attacks.”
Just weeks ago, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) called on Burkinabè authorities to “uphold the fundamental rights and freedoms of all citizens.” So far, these appeals appear to have gone unheeded. Instead, fear is taking root across society.
Journalists now struggle to find willing sources, as the risks of speaking out grow ever more concrete. Yet, resistance persists—quietly, online and behind closed doors among Burkinabè citizens.
