The suspension follows a broader crackdown under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who assumed power after a coup in September 2022. In recent weeks, nearly a thousand associations have been dissolved or suspended under a new law regulating freedom of association.

Student union leader detained

According to Ugeb, a dozen members—including its president, Wilfried Bazo—were arrested in the early hours of Monday to Tuesday at their headquarters in Ouagadougou by armed individuals in civilian clothing. The organization claims several students were taken to undisclosed locations and condemns what it describes as “severe violations of freedoms,” demanding their immediate release.

Criticism of the regime escalates

Just days before the suspension, Ugeb released a statement condemning “violations of democratic, union, and political freedoms” justified under the pretext of counter-terrorism. The student movement also accused the military government of “manifest inability to restore security” amid escalating jihadist violence gripping much of the nation.

Human rights advocates sound the alarm

On Wednesday, the prosecutor’s office announced the launch of a judicial investigation targeting the “writings and statements” attributed to Ugeb. Human rights observers argue this suspension is part of a broader pattern of repression against freedom of association and expression. The NGO warns that silencing students will not resolve Burkina Faso’s deepening security and governance crisis.