11 Apr 2024 | 08:39 PM UTC
Burkina Faso: Activists suspend planned sit-in demonstration in Ouagadougou as of April 11 /update 1
Political activists suspend sit-in protest at National Security Directorate in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, as of April 11.
Activists associated with the Movement Serving and Not Serving Ourselves (Mouvement Servir et Non se Servir, SENS) has suspended the planned sit-in demonstration at the National Security Directorate in Ouagadougou as of April 11 until further notice, reportedly due to a response from the Special Delegation of the Municipality of Ouagadougou deeming the sit-in protest "inappropriate" and due to the sensitivity of the protest location. The demonstration was initially slated to take place from 09:00-10:00 on April 12. Despite the suspension of the action, increased security remains possible near government offices as a precautionary measure.
The original purpose of the protest was to demand the release of the national coordinator of the SENS movement, Guy Herve Kam, among others allegedly arbitrarily arrested by authorities. Reports indicated that Kam remains in detention despite an administrative court issuing a release order for March 7. Calls for fresh demonstrations may occur in the coming weeks if the political movement's demands are unmet.
