Amidst the 36th anniversary commemorations of student Dabo Boukary’s assassination, which occurred under the regime of Blaise Compaoré, the General Union of Burkinabè Students (Ugeb) issued a strong condemnation of the military regime’s failure to restore security. This criticism came despite promises made by Captain Ibrahim Traoré when he seized power through a coup d’état, highlighting ongoing challenges in Burkina Faso’s security landscape.

Just days following this public statement, unidentified armed individuals, dressed in civilian clothes, forcefully and unlawfully apprehended several students, including the president of Ugeb, according to an announcement from the student association itself. This development has raised concerns among observers of African news today.

Ugeb accused of ‘apology of terrorism’ by the government

These arrests were swiftly followed by an accusation of “apology of terrorism” against Ugeb, leading to the student association’s suspension for three months, a period that can be renewed. The Ministry of Territorial Administration imposed this suspension, prohibiting Ugeb from conducting any activities during this time, a significant move in Africa politics English discussions.

In the wake of these events, the Prosecutor of Faso, attached to the Ouaga2 High Court, announced the initiation of a judicial inquiry, citing the “gravity” of the alleged actions. This investigation underscores the serious nature of the charges brought against the student body.

According to the prosecutor’s statement, the incriminated acts could potentially constitute offenses outlined and punishable under the Burkinabè penal code. These actions might be interpreted as an “enterprise to demoralize the defense and security forces,” a serious charge in the current context of Burkina Faso.

The prosecutor further emphasized that the “public apology of acts of terrorism” carries a potential sentence of one to ten years of imprisonment, highlighting the severe consequences faced by those found guilty under this law in Burkina Faso.