In July 2025, nearly 250 imams and Islamic preachers from across Burkina Faso convened in Ouagadougou for a national workshop organized by the Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina (FAIB). The gathering aimed to combat the rising spread of hate speech and extremist content on social media, which has increasingly contributed to division and radicalization across the country.
The event introduced a new code of conduct urging religious leaders to refrain from using violent or divisive language both in public preaching and online. Sanctions for violations include up to two years preaching ban and possible legal consequences. The initiative was sparked by a recent video where a preacher incited violence against another Muslim congregation—an act FAIB condemned as a “dangerous deviation in religious discourse.”
This comes at a time when Burkina Faso is facing a surge in extremist violence, with a 68% increase in terrorism-related deaths, making it the deadliest country for such fatalities globally. The UNDP and other international agencies have warned that social media platforms are being exploited to recruit and radicalize youth in the Sahel region.
FAIB’s move aligns with recent government efforts to regulate hate speech. The Ministry of Security has issued legal warnings, and the Superior Council of Communication now requires religious broadcasts to be screened before airing to avoid live incitement. FAIB has a history of promoting unity, previously rallying 700 imams in 2022 to denounce religious and ethnic intolerance.
The initiative reflects a growing effort in Burkina Faso to merge religious leadership with digital responsibility, offering a grassroots model for peacebuilding in a region facing chronic insecurity.
