Controversial arrest of influential imam Mohamad Ishaq Kindo in Ouagadougou

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An arrest that has sparked widespread debate in Burkina Faso. Influential Sunni imam and preacher Mohamad Ishaq Kindo was taken into custody on Tuesday, May 26, in Ouagadougou by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location. The arrest occurred just two days after he publicly criticized the newly adopted religious freedoms bill, according to close associates and a Muslim organization he is affiliated with.

The Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina Faso (FAIB) released a statement within hours of the incident, confirming Kindo’s detention on Tuesday afternoon. The statement noted that the motives behind the arrest remain officially undisclosed. The FAIB also announced it had initiated formal inquiries with relevant authorities to seek clarity on the situation and ensure a favorable resolution.

Violent arrest on the eve of Eid

A witness close to the imam described the operation as forceful, occurring around 2:00 PM local time on the eve of the significant Muslim holiday of Eid. The operation involved hooded security personnel, including police and military officers. Tensions escalated as supporters attempted to intervene, leading to clashes and injuries among the faithful.

One associate reported that several Muslim worshippers were injured during the arrest, further intensifying the outrage within the community. Just days prior, a widely circulated video of Kindo’s teachings had gone viral on social media, where he condemned the government’s March 19 adoption of a bill regulating religious freedoms in Burkina Faso. He urged authorities to reconsider the implications of their actions before proceeding further.

Public outcry and calls for calm

Within hours of the imam’s detention, hundreds gathered in Ouagadougou to demand his release. The protest was met with tear gas dispersal, according to a participant reached for comment. The FAIB issued a statement urging all Muslim faithful to remain calm, exercise restraint, and maintain composure amid the unfolding situation.

As the country celebrated Eid El-Kebir, also known as Tabaski, the Muslim community remained on edge, closely monitoring developments surrounding Kindo’s case. The next day, Burkina Faso’s president addressed the nation on social media, paying tribute to security forces battling jihadist groups while warning adversaries against any attempts to undermine national stability. He emphasized that anyone undermining the nation’s security would face full accountability. However, no official statement has been issued regarding Kindo’s arrest.

New religious freedoms law fuels tensions

The controversial bill, adopted by the Council of Ministers on March 19, aims to regulate religious practices to curb extremist rhetoric on social media and safeguard religious freedoms. Government officials, including Mariem Sanogo, Director General of Religious, Customary, and Traditional Affairs, defended the law as an updated response to rising radicalism and online hate speech. The legislation prohibits the construction of places of worship in public institutions, with exceptions for healthcare facilities, prisons, military barracks, and camps.

The government reiterated that public prayer remains permitted, provided it respects the beliefs of others. Since the military-led administration under Captain Ibrahim Traoré took power nearly four years ago, several critical voices have disappeared, with authorities justifying repression as necessary to combat jihadist threats that have plagued much of the country for over a decade.