The 36th anniversary of student activist Dabo Boukary‘s assassination under former President Blaise Compaoré was marked this week, yet it was overshadowed by fresh tensions as the Union générale des étudiants burkinabè (Ugeb) accused the military regime of failing to deliver on its security promises.
In a bold statement, the student body condemned the inability of Captain Ibrahim Traoré‘s administration to restore peace, despite the leader’s vow to tackle insecurity when seizing power. Barely days after this declaration, reports emerged of armed individuals in civilian clothing forcibly detaining several Ugeb members, including the union’s president, in an operation described as unlawful and aggressive.
Government responds with suspension and terrorism charges
The authorities swiftly retaliated by suspending the Ugeb for three months, with a possibility of extension, under the pretext of promoting terrorism. During this period, all association activities are banned. The Ministry of Territorial Administration justified the decision, while the prosecutor’s office in Ouagadougou announced a judicial inquiry into the matter.
The investigation targets potential violations of the Burkinabè penal code, specifically focusing on acts that could undermine public confidence in defense and security forces. The prosecutor emphasized that publicly endorsing terrorism carries penalties ranging from one to ten years in prison.
This escalation follows a pattern of heightened scrutiny against dissenting voices in Burkina Faso, as the nation grapples with persistent security challenges and political instability.