What we know about the arrest of Sunni imam Mohamed Ishaq Kindo
A dramatic arrest has sent shockwaves through Burkina Faso. Influential Sunni imam and preacher Mohamed Ishaq Kindo was detained in Ouagadougou on Tuesday, May 26, by masked security forces and taken to an undisclosed location. The move came just two days after Kindo publicly criticized a new religious freedoms bill adopted on March 19, according to associates and Muslim organizations close to him.
The Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina Faso (FAIB) issued a statement within hours of the arrest, declaring that Kindo, who also serves as president of the country’s Sunni Oulema, was taken “under unclear circumstances” on Tuesday afternoon. The organization stated it had “initiated all necessary procedures with competent authorities to obtain precise information and a favorable resolution.”
Violent intervention during prayer time
An eyewitness close to the imam described how the operation unfolded around 2:00 PM local time, just before the Eid al-Adha celebrations. “Security forces including police and masked military personnel carried out the arrest,” the source recounted. “The situation turned tense when worshippers attempted to intervene, leading to a confrontation.”
Another associate confirmed that “several Muslim worshippers sustained injuries during the operation.”
The imam had recently gained attention after a recording of his teachings circulated widely on social media. In the video, Kindo condemned the March adoption of Burkina Faso’s religious freedoms bill, urging authorities to “reflect more deeply on the consequences of their actions before proceeding.”
“No leader, whether political or otherwise, has the power to ban public prayers,” he declared in the recording. “You lack both the strength and divine authority to impose such restrictions.”
Public outrage and official silence
The arrest sparked immediate protests in Ouagadougou, with hundreds of demonstrators taking to the streets demanding Kindo’s release. According to witnesses, police dispersed the crowd using tear gas.
The FAIB called for “calm and restraint” among the Muslim community following the incident.
As the country celebrated Eid al-Adha the following day, tensions remained palpable. Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré addressed the nation through social media, praising security forces fighting jihadist groups while warning against any attempts to undermine national stability.
“Those who seek to disrupt our progress must be prepared to face full accountability for their actions,” he stated. To date, no official statement regarding Kindo’s arrest has been released by government authorities.
Controversial religious freedoms bill
The law that appears to have triggered Kindo’s arrest was adopted by the council of ministers on March 19. Designed to regulate religious practices and prevent online extremism and hate speech, the bill has drawn mixed reactions.
Mariem Sanogo, Director General of Religious, Customary and Traditional Affairs, attempted to allay concerns by explaining that the text was “updated in response to growing radicalization and violent extremism online.”
The law prohibits the construction of religious buildings within public administration facilities, with limited exceptions for health facilities, prisons, and military barracks. Authorities emphasize that public prayer remains permitted, provided it respects others’ beliefs.
Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s rise to power nearly four years ago, Burkina Faso has been governed by a military regime facing persistent jihadist threats across much of the country. Authorities have defended their crackdown on dissent as necessary for national security amid ongoing conflict.
