Burkina Faso junta suspends two Muslim groups after imam’s arrest
The Burkinabe authorities have suspended two Muslim associations for three months, a decision taken amid growing tensions following the arrest of influential imam Mohamad Ishaq Kindo.
New crackdown in Burkina Faso. The junta led by Ibrahim Traoré has suspended two Muslim organisations for three months, citing public order concerns and failure to comply with their statutory missions.
Two decrees published on Tuesday, 9 June, by the Ministry of Territorial Administration announced the suspension of the Coordination of Young Muslims of Burkina Faso for “public order disturbances” and the As Salam association for “activities inconsistent with its purpose”.
Context of the imam Kindo affair
These decisions come less than two weeks after the arrest of Mohamad Ishaq Kindo, a prominent figure in Sunni Islam in Burkina Faso. The imam had publicly criticised a proposed law aimed at further regulating religious freedom in a country where Muslims make up around 60% of the population.
Since his arrest on 26 May, his place of detention has not been officially disclosed. Several of his supporters have also been taken into custody after protests demanding his release.
Increasingly restrictive policies
Since coming to power in September 2022 following a coup, Ibrahim Traoré has intensified control over voices critical of the regime. The authorities justify this firmness by the need to maintain stability in the face of the jihadist threat that has plagued Burkina Faso for over a decade.
Over 900 associations targeted in recent months
Between April and May, the authorities suspended 811 associations and dissolved 118 others, citing non-compliance with administrative obligations. These measures have raised concerns among observers about the state of public freedoms in this Sahelian country battling a severe security crisis.
