At the heart of current events in Burkina Faso, the civil society movement Le Balai Citoyen once again finds itself at the center of tensions with the arrest of one of its active members, Rasmané Zinaba, on February 20, 2024. This arbitrary arrest takes place in a context where many activists and human rights defenders are targeted by the authorities.
Rasmané Zinaba’s commitment to Citizen Balai, in charge of mobilization, attracted the attention of the authorities who arrested him early in the morning at his home in Ouagadougou. This arrest is in addition to a series of actions carried out against members of civil society, such as lawyer Guy-Hervé Kam and doctor Daouda Diallo, human rights defender.
In reaction to this new arrest, Citizen Balai called for the immediate release of Rasmané Zinaba, once again denouncing the arbitrary practices of the government. Indeed, the movement had already contested the requisitions imposed on some of its members to join the front, highlighting the unfair and irregular nature of these decisions.
This case highlights the difficulties encountered by civil society activists in Burkina Faso, facing increasing repression by the authorities. Despite the pressures and arrests, the Citizen Balai continues to defend its values and fight for justice and democracy in the country.
This situation highlights the importance of supporting civil society movements in Burkina Faso, which are working for positive change and better governance. It is essential to remain attentive to these issues and to condemn any form of attack on civil liberties and fundamental rights.