The crackdown follows a broader pattern of tightening control under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who rose to power after a coup in September 2022. Recent weeks have seen nearly a thousand associations either dissolved or suspended following the enactment of a controversial new law governing freedom of association.

Student leader detained in overnight raids

The Ugeb reported that around ten of its members, including President Wilfried Bazo, were arrested during raids on their Ouagadougou headquarters overnight between Monday and Tuesday. The organization claims that several other students were taken away to undisclosed locations. The Ugeb has condemned what it describes as flagrant violations of fundamental rights and is demanding the immediate release of all detainees.

Growing dissent against military rule

Just days before the suspension, the Ugeb had issued a statement condemning what it called systematic abuses of democratic, labor, and political freedoms under the pretext of counter-terrorism. The student movement also accused the military government of failing to address the escalating jihadist violence plaguing large swathes of the country.

International rights group warns of repression

On Wednesday, the Faso prosecutor announced the launch of a judicial investigation targeting the writings and statements attributed to the Ugeb. Human Rights Watch has since condemned the suspension as part of a systematic campaign to suppress freedom of association and expression. The organization emphasized that silencing students will not resolve Burkina Faso’s deepening security and governance crisis.