Burkina Faso’s President, Ibrahim Traoré, has stirred widespread reactions on social media following a speech he delivered on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in which he reaffirmed his commitment to religious freedom and outlined a new direction for the country’s education system.
Speaking to representatives from the Yagha region in Ouagadougou, Traoré focused on two key issues—religion and education.
The Burkinabè leader said his administration remains committed to religious diversity and will not impose any particular religion or belief system on the country’s citizens.
“I am a Muslim, but everyone in Burkina Faso has the right to practice their own religion. There will never be Sharia law here,” Traoré declared.
Turning to education, the president expressed concern over what he described as a significant mismatch between the country’s educational output and its development needs. He said many young Burkinabè are concentrating on studying abstract theories, particularly religious scholarship, instead of acquiring practical skills needed to drive national development.
Traoré said his government intends to redirect the country’s education system towards science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to equip young people with skills relevant to modern development.
“We need people with technological skills to build our nation, not Sharia scholars,” he said.
The remarks have since generated widespread discussions across social media, with many users reacting to the president’s comments on religious freedom and his administration’s proposed shift toward STEM-focused education.
