Burkina Faso’s widening grip on culture and private life

As the government tightens control over religious practices, a move it links to the fight against terrorist factions in the country, cultural events are now facing a similar fate. According to RFI, the Burkinabè government forbade 18 cultural events on August 10 for “violating Burkinabè morals.” These prohibitions are part of a broader policy of “cleansing the artistic and cultural sector,” which has been in place since March 2025.

Events such as the Golden Moment, which brought together Burkinabè cultural actors and was initially planned for August 14 and 15, have been cancelled, along with the Urban Vibes festival. The festival held its first edition last year, showcasing emerging Burkinabè artists while also addressing themes of ecology and women’s rights.

In total, 18 events have been cancelled. The Ministry of Culture explained that these events were contrary to ideal Burkinabè morals and potentially undermined public order.

These bans are part of a broader tightening of restrictions on cultural and religious freedom in Burkina Faso. In June, legislators announced that regulations were being put in place to ensure the secular nature of the state, as well as to prevent extremist radicalisation.

Deputies adopted the regulation unanimously. Burkina Faso’s legal framework contains about 112 articles across 6 chapters meant to ensure freedom of religion. The country’s population is close to 25 million people, with 64% Muslim, 26% Christian, and 10% animist, people who believe in the spiritual nature of natural elements, such as plants or spirits.

These new regulations followed controversial decisions taken by the state. Last May, one of the principal Sunni mosques in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, was closed and placed under surveillance, with police citing “risks of public disorder” as justification for its closure. The imam who preached at the site had criticised government policies on social media, banning religious buildings within public institutions.

Since the military coup of 2022, junta leader Ibrahim Traoré has cracked down on free speech and other civil liberties, stating that “democracy kills”.

RFI, Maghrebi.org