During the 36th anniversary of the assassination of student leader Dabo Boukary under the regime of former President Blaise Compaoré, the General Union of Burkina Faso Students (Ugeb) issued a bold statement. They criticized the military leadership’s failure to restore security, despite the promises made by Captain Ibrahim Traoré following the 2022 coup.
Days after the association’s public condemnation, reports emerged of armed civilian individuals detaining several Ugeb members in a forceful and unlawful manner. Among those reportedly taken into custody was the union’s president, according to a statement released by the student body.
Government accuses Ugeb of ‘terrorism glorification’
The government swiftly responded by suspending Ugeb for three months, with the possibility of extension. The Ministry of Territorial Administration cited alleged glorification of terrorism as justification for the drastic measure, effectively barring the union from conducting any activities during this period.
The prosecutor’s office in Ouagadougou initiated a judicial investigation, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations. In a statement, authorities suggested the actions could constitute offenses under Burkina Faso’s penal code, potentially amounting to attempts to demoralize defense and security forces.
Prosecutors highlighted that publicly glorifying terrorism carries penalties ranging from one to ten years in prison, underscoring the gravity of the accusations leveled against the student union.