In Ouagadougou, security forces apprehended Sunni Imam Mohamad Ishaq Kindo on Tuesday. This action followed his recent public condemnation of a proposed law concerning religious liberties. The arrest quickly ignited significant tensions and public demonstrations across the Burkinabè capital.
An arrest under tension in Ouagadougou
According to statements from close associates and the Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina (FAIB), Imam Mohamad Ishaq Kindo was taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon by masked police and military personnel. This operation, occurring just before the Muslim holiday of Eid, led to confrontations between security forces and worshippers at the scene. Reports from individuals connected to the imam indicate that several people sustained injuries during the arrest. The current whereabouts of the religious leader remain undisclosed.
Criticism against a draft law
Just two days prior to his apprehension, an audio recording widely shared across social media platforms captured the imam delivering a sermon. In it, he voiced strong opposition to a legislative proposal passed in March, which aims to regulate the practice of religious freedoms within Burkina Faso. Mohamad Ishaq Kindo specifically cautioned authorities against any attempts to prohibit public prayers. He also urged the nation’s leadership to “reflect more deeply on the implications of their actions before proceeding”.
Demonstration dispersed by security forces
Hours following the arrest, hundreds of individuals converged in Ouagadougou, demanding the imam’s immediate release. Eyewitnesses reported that security forces employed tear gas to disperse the gathering. In response, the Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina issued a plea to Muslim faithful, urging them to maintain “calm, restraint, and serenity”.