The Union générale des étudiants burkinabè (Ugeb) has found itself at the center of a political storm in Burkina Faso after condemning the military regime’s failure to restore security, despite promises made by Captain Ibrahim Traoré following his 2022 coup d’état.
On the heels of the organization’s declaration—issued during the 36th anniversary of student activist Dabo Boukary’s assassination under former President Blaise Compaoré—armed individuals in civilian clothing carried out what the Ugeb describes as brutal and unlawful arrests of students, including the union’s leadership.
Government accuses student union of terrorism incitement
The Ministry of Territorial Administration swiftly suspended the Ugeb for three months, renewable, halting all its activities. The decision followed accusations of ‘public apology for terrorism’, a charge the government claims justifies the suspension under Burkinabè law.
Prosecutors at the Ouagadougou Court of First Instance have since launched a judicial inquiry into the union’s statements, citing their potential to ‘undermine the morale of defense and security forces’. Officials emphasize that ‘publicly glorifying terrorist acts’ under the country’s penal code carries penalties ranging from one to ten years in prison.
Legal and political fallout
The move has sparked concerns among civil society groups, who view the suspension as an escalation in efforts to silence dissent. The Ugeb, a longstanding voice in student activism, has been a vocal critic of the transitional authorities, repeatedly challenging their security strategies in public statements.
As the investigation unfolds, the case highlights broader tensions between government control and civic freedoms in Burkina Faso’s evolving political landscape.
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