Burkina Faso’s interim President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has called on Burkinabè students studying in Saudi Arabia to return home and pursue education and skills that directly contribute to national development, warning against what he described as an overemphasis on religious studies at the expense of technical and professional training.
Speaking during an engagement in the Yaadga region on July 16, the 37-year-old military leader expressed concern over the educational choices of many Burkinabè students abroad. According to him, approximately 800 of the 1,000 students from Burkina Faso currently studying in Saudi Arabia are enrolled in Islamic studies rather than disciplines such as engineering, medicine, agriculture, information technology and other fields considered critical to the country’s development.
Traoré argued that while religion remains an important aspect of society, Burkina Faso’s constitutional identity as a secular state requires a balanced approach to education that prioritises practical skills capable of addressing the country’s socio-economic challenges.
He maintained that the country’s urgent need for engineers, scientists, healthcare professionals and skilled technicians should encourage students to pursue academic programmes that strengthen national capacity and support reconstruction efforts.
The interim president also reaffirmed his government’s opposition to the establishment of Sharia law in Burkina Faso, insisting that the country’s secular constitutional framework must be preserved. He warned that extremist ideologies should not be allowed to undermine national unity or threaten the country’s democratic and cultural values.
Traoré linked his concerns to the prolonged insurgency that has affected Burkina Faso since 2015. The country has faced sustained attacks from armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people and the displacement of millions from their homes. The security crisis has also disrupted education, healthcare and economic activities across several regions.
According to the interim leader, the government is closely monitoring religious activities and will take action against clerics found to be promoting radical ideologies capable of inciting violence or undermining public order. He said authorities would suspend any imam or religious leader whose teachings encourage extremism or threaten national security.
Traoré stressed that his administration remains committed to protecting freedom of worship while ensuring that religious institutions operate within the framework of the country’s laws and constitutional principles.
His remarks have generated mixed reactions. Supporters argue that the president’s position reflects the urgent need to prioritise education and skills that can accelerate economic development while strengthening national resilience against insecurity.
Others, however, have cautioned against linking religious education broadly with violent extremism, noting that the vast majority of students pursuing Islamic studies do so peacefully and contribute positively to their communities. They argue that efforts to combat radicalisation should focus on addressing violent extremist networks rather than stigmatising religious scholarship.
Security analysts note that Burkina Faso continues to face one of the most severe insurgencies in the Sahel region, with persistent attacks placing enormous pressure on government institutions and humanitarian services. They contend that improving access to quality education, expanding employment opportunities and strengthening community engagement remain essential components of any long-term strategy to counter violent extremism.
As the country continues its fight against insurgent groups, Traoré reiterated that national development depends on equipping young people with practical skills needed to rebuild the economy and strengthen public institutions. He urged Burkinabè students abroad to return home and contribute their knowledge and expertise to the country’s recovery and future prosperity.
