A high-profile arrest has sent shockwaves through Burkina Faso’s religious community. Influential Sunni imam and preacher Mohamad Ishaq Kindo was taken into custody in Ouagadougou on Tuesday, May 26, by masked security forces—including police and military personnel—and transported to an undisclosed location. The timing of his detention, just two days after he publicly criticized a new religious freedoms bill passed on March 19, has raised serious questions about the motives behind his arrest.
military-style raid amid rising tensions
Witnesses described the operation as heavy-handed. Kindo was arrested around 2:00 PM local time on Tuesday, the day before Eid al-Adha, by heavily armed security personnel in balaclavas. Tensions escalated as supporters attempted to intervene, resulting in clashes and injuries among the faithful. One eyewitness recounted that the scene was chaotic, with attempts to block the arrest leading to forceful dispersals.
A close associate confirmed reports of wounded individuals, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The imam’s detention has only intensified scrutiny of the new law, which critics argue restricts religious expression.
public outcry and calls for calm
Within hours of his arrest, hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Ouagadougou, demanding Kindo’s immediate release. Demonstrators were met with tear gas as security forces moved to disperse the crowd. The Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina Faso (FAIB) urged calm, urging the Muslim community to remain measured in their response.
The imam’s video message, widely circulated on social media ahead of his arrest, underscored his stance. In it, he warned authorities against restricting public prayers, stating, “Beware and refrain from banning prayers in public spaces. Whether you are a leader or a powerful figure, you possess neither the strength nor the power of God.”
government silence amid growing unease
The following day, coinciding with Eid al-Adha, President Ibrahim Traoré addressed the nation on social media. While honoring security forces battling jihadist insurgencies, he issued a stern warning to those undermining national stability, declaring that anyone attempting to disrupt the country’s progress would face full accountability for their actions. To date, no official statement has been issued regarding Kindo’s detention.
the controversial religious freedoms law
The law Kindo criticized was adopted by the council of ministers on March 19 and aims to regulate religious practices, curb online extremism, and combat hate speech. Government officials, including Mariem Sanogo, Director General of Religious, Customary, and Traditional Affairs, defended the law as a necessary response to rising radicalization and violent extremism. Authorities argue that the legislation reinforces national cohesion by preventing abuses on social media.
The law prohibits the construction of religious buildings in public institutions, with limited exceptions for healthcare facilities, prisons, and military barracks. Since public administration lacks space to accommodate all faiths, the government has opted for a blanket ban. Officials clarified that public prayers remain permitted, provided they respect others’ beliefs.
This arrest adds to a growing list of high-profile detentions since the military takeover under Captain Ibrahim Traoré nearly four years ago. Authorities justify their crackdown as essential to combating a decade-long jihadist insurgency that has gripped much of the country.
