Amid the 36th anniversary of student activist Dabo Boukary’s assassination under former President Blaise Compaoré’s regime, Burkina Faso’s military government has taken decisive action against the Union générale des étudiants burkinabè (Ugeb). The student union publicly condemned the current administration’s inability to restore security, despite promises made by Captain Ibrahim Traoré following his 2022 coup.
Days after the declaration, unidentified individuals in civilian clothing reportedly detained several students in a forceful and illegal manner, including the Ugeb’s president. The association detailed the incident in an official statement, highlighting what it describes as an escalating pattern of repression against student voices.
Government accuses Ugeb of ‘terrorism glorification’
The Ministry of Territorial Administration suspended the Ugeb for three months, renewable, preventing the association from carrying out any activities during this period. The move followed accusations that the union engaged in the ‘glorification of terrorism,’ a claim that has drawn strong reactions from student leaders and activists.
In a swift judicial response, the prosecutor’s office near the Ouagadougou High Court launched an investigation, citing the ‘seriousness’ of the allegations. According to the prosecutor, the actions could constitute offenses under Burkina Faso’s penal code, potentially amounting to efforts to ‘undermine the morale of defense and security forces.’
Public glorification of terrorism, as defined by Burkinabè law, carries penalties ranging from one to ten years in prison. Legal experts are closely monitoring the case, which has intensified debates over freedom of expression and the government’s approach to dissent amid ongoing security challenges.
