Burkina Faso’s largest student union suspended after challenging Captain Traoré’s security record

Burkina Faso's military government under Captain Ibrahim Traoré has suspended the country's largest student union, deepening concerns over shrinking civic freedoms as authorities intensify efforts to silence dissent amid a worsening security crisis.

• Burkina Faso's military government has suspended the country's largest student union, UGEB, for three months, with possible renewal.
• The suspension was justified by accusations of glorifying terrorism, following a UGEB statement critical of the government's security performance.
• A criminal investigation has been launched against UGEB members, with potential charges carrying prison sentences and heavy fines.
• Analysts view the suspension as part of a broader campaign to suppress organizations and voices critical of the military regime amid a deepening security crisis.

The Minister of Territorial Administration on May 26 ordered the suspension of the General Union of Burkinabe Students (UGEB) for an initial three months, a period that can be renewed. The government accused the organisation of "glorification of terrorism."

UGEB, founded in 1960, is one of Burkina Faso's oldest student organisations and represents students on academic and welfare issues. It has also taken part in debates on national affairs over the years.

While the suspension decree did not provide a detailed justification, Human Rights Watch said the move appears linked to a recent UGEB statement that criticised the security record of Burkina Faso's military government.

In the statement, the student union questioned the government's ability to restore security despite years of military rule and what it described as heavily publicised deliveries of military equipment.

Subsequently, prosecutors in the capital, Ouagadougou, opened a criminal investigation targeting the authors of the statement and anyone involved in its dissemination.

Criminal Charges Carry Prison Terms

In a statement posted on X, the prosecutor cited Articles 312-11 and 361-19 of Burkina Faso's Penal Code, which provide prison sentences of between one and 10 years for the offences under investigation.

The statement added that attempts to demoralise members of the Defence and Security Forces are punishable by fines of between 300,000 CFA francs ($532) and 2 million CFA francs ($3,460), while public glorification of terrorism carries fines ranging from 1 million CFA francs ($1,776) to 10 million CFA francs ($17,700).

"Given the seriousness of these acts, my office has ordered the immediate opening of a judicial investigation against the author or authors of the statement, as well as any possible accomplices," the prosecutor said.

He added that anyone found engaging in similar conduct would face "the full force of the law."

Growing Scrutiny of Civil Liberties

The suspension comes amid growing scrutiny of civil liberties under Burkina Faso's military government.

Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who came to power in September 2022 after ousting Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, has led the country through a military transition that was extended until 2029 under a charter adopted in 2024.

Since taking power, Traoré has built a strong following across Africa through his anti-colonial rhetoric, calls for economic sovereignty and efforts to strengthen cooperation among military-led governments in the Sahel.

His popularity has also been bolstered by policies aimed at increasing state control over natural resources, particularly gold, and reducing dependence on traditional Western partners.

Human rights organisations, however, have accused the government of increasing pressure on journalists, activists and other critics.

Rights groups say some of the administration's efforts to consolidate power have coincided with tighter restrictions on dissent and civic freedoms.

The suspension of UGEB is likely to add to those concerns, coming as Burkina Faso continues to grapple with a security crisis that has persisted despite intensified military operations and regional security cooperation.

Armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State continue to carry out attacks across large parts of the country despite military cooperation with neighbouring junta-led governments in Mali and Niger, as well as increased weapons acquisitions from Russia and China.

While the government says it has recruited thousands of civilian defence volunteers and stepped up operations against insurgents, insecurity remains a major challenge across several regions.