Crédit photo, Capture écran YouTube
A significant event in Burkina Faso news today, Mohamad Ishaq Kindo, a prominent sunnite imam and preacher, was taken into custody by police on Tuesday, May 26, in Ouagadougou. His current whereabouts remain undisclosed. This arrest, which has drawn considerable attention across the Faso, occurred just two days after he publicly criticized a new bill on religious freedoms, which was adopted on March 19. This information comes from individuals close to the imam and a Muslim organization with which he is affiliated.
The Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina (FAIB) released a statement shortly after the incident, confirming that Imam Kindo, who also serves as the president of the country’s Sunnite Ulemas, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon. The FAIB noted that the circumstances and official reasons for his detention have not yet been communicated. The organization further stated that it has initiated contact with relevant authorities to gather precise information and seek a favorable resolution to the situation.
Forceful apprehension
An eyewitness, a close associate of Imam Kindo, recounted that the apprehension took place around 2:00 PM (GMT and local time), on the eve of the important Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. The operation was carried out by security personnel, including police officers and masked military personnel. The witness described the arrest as violent, as faithful followers present at the scene resisted, leading to a tense confrontation. Another individual close to the imam reported that several Muslim worshippers sustained injuries during the incident.
Just two days prior to his arrest, a recording of Imam Kindo’s sermon had been widely circulated on social media. In the recording, he vocalized strong opposition to the religious freedom bill passed in March, which seeks to regulate the exercise of religious liberties in Burkina Faso. He urged the authorities to “further question the implications of their actions before proceeding.” Specifically, he declared, “Let everyone be wary and refrain from trying to forbid public prayers. Whether you are a leader or a strongman, you possess neither the strength nor the power of God.”
Rising tensions in Ouagadougou
The arrest of Imam Kindo has been met with significant disapproval within the community. Hours after his detention, hundreds of people gathered in Ouagadougou to protest, demanding his immediate release. These demonstrations were subsequently dispersed using tear gas. In response to the escalating situation and to maintain Burkina security, the FAIB has called upon “all Muslim faithful to remain calm, exercise restraint, and maintain serenity.”
No official reaction
Crédit photo, Reuters
The day after the events, which coincided with Eid al-Adha (Tabaski), a sense of calm has seemingly returned to the community, which is closely monitoring developments regarding the religious leader’s case. Following his Tabaski prayer, the President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, issued a statement via social media. While paying tribute to the security forces engaged in the fight against jihadism, the Head of State also delivered a stern warning to the nation’s adversaries. He cautioned against any attempts to launch attacks, demoralize the fighting forces, or create any other form of disorder that could disrupt the country’s progress. He emphasized that anyone adopting such a stance would be compelled to “assume full responsibility and all consequences that ensue.” As of now, there has been no official comment from the authorities regarding Imam Kindo’s arrest.
New law prohibits public worship structures
The controversial religious freedom bill in Burkina Faso, which appears to be at the heart of the influential imam’s current predicament, was adopted by the Council of Ministers on March 19. This legislation aims to regulate the exercise of religious liberties, seeking to prevent certain abuses observed on social media and to safeguard freedom of religion. The document has received mixed reactions. Mariem Sanogo, the Director General of Religious, Customary, and Traditional Affairs for Burkina, provided reassurance in an interview, explaining that the text is not entirely new but rather an update to existing law, necessitated by the rise of “radicalism and violent extremism,” as well as “hate speech and discourteous discourse online.” Authorities hope this bill will regularize and put an end to such deviations, thereby strengthening national cohesion.
Burkina Faso, like many nations on the continent, adheres to the principle of secularism, ensuring equality among all religious denominations. The new bill specifically prohibits the construction of places of worship within public service facilities, with exceptions for healthcare institutions, penitentiary establishments, barracks, and military camps. Given the impracticality of erecting places of worship for all faiths within public administration buildings, the state has opted for a straightforward prohibition. However, authorities have clarified an important distinction: praying in public spaces is not forbidden, provided it is done with respect for the beliefs of others.
Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré assumed power, there have been several notable disappearances of individuals critical of the regime. The authorities often justify their repressive policies by citing the ongoing war against jihadist groups, which have been active in a large part of the country for over a decade. Burkina Faso has been under military rule led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré for nearly four years, shaping the current political and security landscape in West Africa Burkina.
