The Burkina Faso government has suspended the activities of two Islamic civil society organisations for three months, according to two decrees signed on June 9 by the Minister of State in charge of Territorial Administration and Mobility, Émile Zerbo. The measures target the As Salam association, recognised since September 10, 2022, and the Coordination of Young Muslims of Burkina Faso (CJMB), recognised since October 16, 2019.
According to the government decrees, As Salam was suspended for “activities not in accordance with its purpose,” while CJMB was sanctioned over “acts of public disorder.” Both organisations are active in social, humanitarian and educational work, but authorities say their official activities must be halted nationwide during the suspension period. The decrees did not provide further details on the incidents that led to the decision, which comes amid tighter state oversight of associations and religious organisations in the country.
