Burkina Faso: Put a stop to radicalism and extremist rhetoric
For the past few days, the social media of Burkina Faso has been buzzing over a piece of news that, if confirmed, deserves reflection: the arrest of an imam accused of making harsh and virulent remarks against the authorities regarding a draft law regulating religious practice in public spaces. Without prejudging the validity of this judicial measure, one thing is clear: in Burkina Faso, no one is above the law.
Burkina Faso is, until proven otherwise, a secular republic. No religious denomination governs the State.
Secularism is not an opinion; it is a constitutional principle that guarantees freedom of worship while respecting public order.
The draft law in question, whether one approves of it or not, was discussed and adopted according to democratic rules.
Criticizing it is a right; attacking it through calls to disobedience, using a religious platform to sow division, is not.
It is time to say it firmly: fanaticism, indoctrination, and radicalism will not save Burkina. They have already made it suffer too much.
The years of terrorist violence, unfortunately fueled by religious excesses, have taught us a simple lesson: when the law retreats, chaos advances.
Religious leaders hold an eminent place in society, but that place does not give them a veto over republican decisions.
Their words enlighten; they do not dictate. Their spiritual authority does not override the authority of the State.
To religious leaders and citizens alike, we say: let us submit to the laws of the Republic.
This is not submission; it is a choice of civilization. It means refusing to allow faith to become a pretext for defying the legal order.
It means accepting that, in the public sphere, the law and the law alone sets the rules for living together.
Let justice take its course, calmly. And let everyone reflect on this: a country that compromises with the law in the name of religion is a country preparing for a war of all against all. Burkina Faso has chosen secularism.
Let us respect it. Not out of weakness, but out of fidelity to our social contract. The Republic does not belong to any faith. It belongs to us all. We must defend it by respecting its laws.
Cédric KABORE
