During the solemn 36th anniversary commemoration of student Dabo Boukary’s assassination, which occurred under the Blaise Compaoré regime, the Union générale des étudiants burkinabè (Ugeb) issued a strong critique. The student body condemned the military government’s “inability to restore security,” a persistent challenge in Burkina Faso and the broader West Africa Sahel, despite the pledges made by Captain Ibrahim Traoré when he seized power through a coup d’état. This situation highlights ongoing complexities in Sahel politics today.

Just days following this declaration, “unidentified individuals,” reportedly armed and dressed in civilian attire, “forcefully and unlawfully” apprehended several students. Among those detained was the president of Ugeb, as reported by the student association itself.

Government accuses Ugeb of “apology for terrorism”

These detentions were swiftly followed by an accusation of “apology for terrorism.” Subsequently, the Ministry of Territorial Administration announced Ugeb’s suspension for a renewable three-month period. Throughout this time, the student association is prohibited from conducting any activities.

Concurrently, the prosecutor of Faso, operating from the Ouaga2 high court, declared the initiation of a judicial inquiry, citing the “gravity” of the alleged offenses.

The prosecutor’s statement indicated that the incriminated actions could potentially constitute offenses outlined and punishable under the Burkinabè penal code. These actions might be construed as an “undertaking to demoralize defense and security forces.”

Furthermore, the prosecutor emphasized that “public apology for acts of terrorism” carries a potential penalty of one to ten years of imprisonment.