Burkina Faso’s Military Regime Tightens Grip on Civil Society with Harsh Measures
The military government in Burkina Faso is escalating its suppression of civil society through restrictive laws, administrative pressures, and punitive actions targeting both national and international organizations, according to reports from Human Rights Watch, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) under the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Kisal Observatory. Activists urge the junta to immediately halt its crackdown on independent voices and humanitarian groups while upholding fundamental rights and freedoms.
Mass Dissolution of NGOs Raises Concerns Over Legal Pretexts
On April 15, 2026, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization announced the dissolution of 118 civil society organizations, including several human rights defenders. The move cited a 2025 association law but provided no concrete evidence of violations beyond vague claims. Many of these groups, such as Action des Chrétiens contre la Torture (ACAT) and the Burkinabè Coalition for Women’s Rights (CBDF), were operational and compliant with the law, which grants organizations a one-year grace period for compliance.
« The mass dissolution of civil society groups is the latest move by Burkina Faso’s junta to silence dissent and obscure its poor human rights record, » stated Binta Sidibé Gascon, Chair of the Kisal Observatory. « This decision fosters a climate of fear that stifles independent civic engagement. »
Pattern of Repression Since 2022 Coup
Since the military seized power in September 2022, authorities have systematically targeted NGOs, independent media, human rights defenders, and peaceful dissent, progressively shrinking civic space. Measures include suspensions, bans, and expulsions of dozens of local and international organizations and media outlets under vague or retaliatory administrative grounds. Humanitarian workers have faced arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and illegal conscription into the armed forces.
The crackdown coincides with Burkina Faso’s decade-long battle against Islamist armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS, though critics argue the government is using security concerns as a pretext to consolidate power.
Legal Loopholes and Administrative Barriers
The July 2025 association law, purportedly aimed at regulating non-profits and combating money laundering and terrorism financing, has imposed burdensome requirements that stifle humanitarian and development work. Foreign NGOs must appoint Burkinabè nationals to key leadership and financial roles, exposing them to personal risks. A September 2025 family code amendment further threatens activists by allowing authorities to strip citizenship from individuals deemed to act against state interests, risking statelessness.
In April 2026, the junta threatened « firm measures » against what it called « imperialist NGOs disguised as aid groups » following a Human Rights Watch report documenting war crimes and crimes against humanity by all parties in the conflict since 2023.
Additional administrative hurdles, such as a « statistical visa » introduced in late 2025, now require NGOs to obtain approval before conducting research or surveys—a costly and time-consuming process that « obstructs independent data collection in an already closed environment, » according to a humanitarian worker.
Targeting of Humanitarian Workers and International Organizations
Between June and July 2025, authorities suspended or revoked licenses for nearly 20 foreign NGOs, including Comunità di Sant’Egidio, Diakonia, Geneva Call, and the Tony Blair Institute, citing procedural non-compliance. Over 70 humanitarian workers—mostly Burkinabè—have been detained since 2022, with some facing accusations of espionage or treason for allegedly sharing sensitive security information with foreign powers.
In a high-profile case, the UN’s top representative in Burkina Faso, Carol Flore-Smereczniak, was declared persona non grata in August 2025 following an UN report on child rights violations. The International Group Safety Organization (INSO) also saw its staff detained in mid-2025 on espionage charges before being released in December, though the allegations remain unsubstantiated.
Forced Conscription and Suppression of Dissent
A 2023 general mobilization decree has been weaponized to coerce opposition figures, journalists, and civil society members into military service. Since July 2025, at least six journalists and three activists have been released after forced conscription, but others, including investigative journalist Serge Oulon, remain missing, raising fears of enforced disappearances.
« A vibrant civil society acts as a check on power and amplifies marginalized voices, » said Drissa Traoré, Secretary-General of FIDH. « Burkinabè authorities must allow civil society groups to operate freely and protect the fundamental rights of all citizens. »
International Law Violations and Calls for Action
International human rights law protects freedoms of expression and association, requiring restrictions to be necessary, proportionate, and non-discriminatory. The 2025 dissolution of NGOs and the association law fail to meet these standards, according to the four organizations monitoring the situation.
Experts emphasize that the junta’s actions not only undermine civic freedoms but also hinder humanitarian efforts in a country grappling with a severe security crisis and widespread displacement.
