Burkina Faso’s Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT) has adopted a new law on religious freedoms aimed at preventing abuses linked to religious practice, strengthening social cohesion, and reinforcing the secular nature of the state. Authorities say the legislation comes amid growing concerns over extremist rhetoric and tensions that threaten national unity. According to Minister of State for Territorial Administration and Mobility, Émile Zerbo, the reform is not targeted at any religion but seeks to regulate the exercise of religious freedoms while safeguarding public order and the rights of others. The law, which contains more than 100 articles, requires religious associations and communities to affiliate with a state-recognized umbrella organization and establishes a national body to monitor compliance with regulations governing religious activities.
The legislation also introduces penalties for hate speech and incitement to religious hatred, with offenders facing prison terms of between one and seven years and fines of up to 10 million CFA francs. It further prohibits public officials from engaging in religious proselytization while carrying out their duties and places new regulations on the financing of religious organizations, requiring their accounts to be domiciled with the Treasury Deposit Bank. Lawmakers say the reform will help prevent religious tensions, promote national unity, and provide a clearer legal framework for the practice of religion in Burkina Faso. The law is expected to take effect after being promulgated by President Ibrahim Traoré and published in the Official Gazette.
