In Burkina Faso, the arrest of Imam Mohamed Ishaq Kindo and the subsequent suspension of the nation’s leading student union underscore a clear tightening of control by the military regime. This past week has been marked by escalating tensions, illustrating a concerning trend for civic space in the Sahel region.

Concerns mount over Imam Kindo’s disappearance

As the Tabaski holiday approached, multiple witnesses reported seeing masked individuals, identified as police and military personnel, apprehend Imam Mohamed Ishaq Kindo at his residence. Kindo is a prominent figure within Burkina Faso’s Muslim community, initially a supporter of Ibrahim Traoré, yet he maintained a critical perspective on public policies.

Journalist Newton Ahmed Barry, now in exile from Burkina Faso, highlighted Kindo’s significance: “Imam Kindo was one of the rare personalities in the Muslim community who, despite initially supporting Ibrahim Traoré, preserved a critical spirit and continued to voice concerns regarding public decisions.”

Among his criticisms was a proposed law aimed at regulating religious practices, particularly prayers in public spaces.

A distinct profile from Imam Mahmoud Dicko

While some observers have drawn parallels between Kindo and Imam Mahmoud Dicko of Mali, Newton Ahmed Barry suggests the comparison is limited.

“I do not believe that was Imam Kindo’s intention or desired stature. He was more focused on a civic watch approach concerning issues within his own domains. He is, after all, a member of the Ulemas of the Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina (FAIB), which is responsible for upholding Muslim religious doctrine.”

Heightened tensions and widespread disinformation

Imam Kindo’s apprehension triggered immediate public outcry. Protests by his followers led to clashes, resulting in several injuries and dozens of arrests. The Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina (FAIB) repeatedly urged calm.

Simultaneously, an information war erupted. A fabricated communiqué announcing the Imam’s death circulated, which the public prosecutor swiftly refuted. Other content, including videos purporting to show abuses, exhibited “inconsistencies,” suggesting potential generation by artificial intelligence, according to fact-checkers.

Reports indicate that some arrested worshippers were transported to Kaya, a town in the Centre-Nord region of the country known for housing a military camp.

A strategy rooted in fear?

Newton Ahmed Barry views these events as part of a broader strategy: “I believe the logic of this junta and its leader is that the more people are afraid, the more tranquility they secure. The truth is, they traumatize everyone to bring them under their control and thus rule peacefully.”

UGEB suspension: students targeted

Another significant development was the three-month, renewable suspension of the Union Générale des Étudiants du Burkina Faso (UGEB), an organization established in 1960. Its president, Bazo Wilfried, along with several members, were taken into custody.

The student union faces accusations of “apology of terrorism” and “demoralization of security forces.” These charges arose after the UGEB criticized the deteriorating security situation, describing it as a “civil war” and highlighting the authorities’ “manifest incapacity” to restore peace.

Mahamadou Idder Alghabid, Deputy Secretary General of the Alliance of Sahel Democrats (ADS), sees these accusations as part of a regional pattern:

“It’s laughable to accuse unarmed civilians and students of advocating terrorism. But this is a familiar refrain in the Sahel today. At the slightest sign of dissent, all opposing voices are silenced and accused of promoting terrorism or being allies of terrorists. This is unfortunately a common language in vogue in the Sahel, shared by these three military-led countries.”

A regional trend within the AES

In Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, human rights advocates report a steady erosion of public freedoms. The dissolution of organizations, judicial pressures, and restrictions on freedom of expression fuel these anxieties. The Alliance of Sahel Democrats notes that the distinction between political criticism, trade union expression, and criminal offense is increasingly blurred across the region.

Contestation persists despite fragility

Despite significant risks—including arrests, abductions, and potential violence—dissenting voices continue to emerge, often from outside the country.

Mahamadou Idder Alghabid asserted: “We are aware of the immensity of the struggle ahead because we are opposing three military regimes. But, as you know, every day we gain ground and they lose it. So it’s a matter of time. Propaganda worked initially; they put forward concepts that Africans longed for, such as sovereignty and the fight against imperialism. But today, all these promises made to Sahelian people, whether from Burkina, Niger, or Mali, have proven false. The leaders are incapable of honoring their commitments, and the Sahelians are realizing this day by day. They are abandoning, leaving the putschists’ ship.”

Newton Ahmed Barry believes the dynamic is poised to shift: “By principle, the weakness of force, of course, lies in its excesses. A force always succumbs to its own excesses. And that is what will happen to Ibrahim Traoré and his regime. But people are fighting. I am not saying by explaining things that people have bowed down, no. […] And you will see that Burkinabè society will react.”

Urgent calls to uphold fundamental freedoms

Human rights organizations are advocating for international mobilization. Ilaria Allegrozzi, a Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch, emphasized: “It is crucial to continue supporting spaces for expression, civil initiatives, and all peaceful forms of democratic resilience. Above all, Burkina Faso’s partners must stop hiding behind the idea that any condemnation of the junta would be counterproductive. Silence and ambiguity invariably legitimize authoritarian deviations.”

Breaking the silence and naming abuses

More broadly, the legitimacy of military rule remains a critical question, according to HRW. “One must have the courage to call things by their name, denounce infringements on freedoms, and clearly reiterate that the confiscation of power by military putschists cannot become an acceptable norm, nor can flagrant human rights violations.”