The military leadership in Burkina Faso is escalating its systematic campaign against civil society through restrictive new laws, administrative intimidation, and punitive actions against both local and international groups. According to reports from Human Rights Watch, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), and the KISAL Observatory, the authorities must cease their harassment of independent voices and humanitarian organizations while upholding fundamental rights.
On April 15, 2026, the Ministry of Territorial Administration announced the dissolution of 118 civil society organizations, many of which focused on human rights advocacy. While officials cited a July 2025 law regarding the freedom of association, they offered no specific justifications beyond vague claims of non-compliance.
“This massive dissolution of civil society groups is the latest attempt by the junta in Burkina Faso to silence dissent and avoid scrutiny of its human rights record,” stated Binta Sidibé Gascon, President of the Kisal Observatory. She noted that such actions create a paralyzing climate of fear for independent civic activity.
A pattern of shrinking civic space
The military government’s strategy reflects a broader trend of repression that intensified after the September 2022 coup. Since then, authorities have targeted non-governmental organizations, independent media outlets, and human rights defenders. Numerous Burkina Faso and international media organizations have been suspended or expelled under questionable administrative pretexts or as retaliation for critical reporting.
Beyond administrative hurdles, authorities have arbitrarily detained aid workers and orchestrated the forced disappearance or illegal conscription of journalists and political opponents. This crackdown is occurring alongside a worsening security crisis, as Burkina Faso continues its decade-long struggle against armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
While some dissolved groups were inactive, others like the Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture (ACAT) and the Burkinabè Coalition for Women’s Rights (CBDF) were fully operational. These groups appeared to be meeting the legal requirements of the July 2025 law, which technically allowed organizations a one-year grace period to comply—a deadline that had not yet passed.
“The government’s move appears legally suspect given that the compliance window for the 2025 law remains open,” said Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch. She described the scale of the dissolution as a devastating blow to civil society that serves as a warning to all remaining independent groups.
Restrictive legislation and administrative barriers
The July 2025 law, presented by the junta as a tool to fight terrorism and money laundering, has significantly tightened state control over the non-profit sector. Foreign organizations are now forced to appoint Burkina Faso nationals to top leadership and financial roles, creating personal risks for those individuals. Furthermore, a September 2025 Family Code provision allows the state to revoke the nationality of anyone deemed to be acting against national interests, raising fears of state-sponsored statelessness.
In early April, the military government reacted to a Human Rights Watch report on war crimes by threatening “firm measures” against what it labeled “imperialist agencies disguised as NGOs.” By late 2025, new requirements for a “statistical visa” further hampered independent research and data collection, making it nearly impossible to operate in an already closed environment.
Targeting international aid and human rights workers
Over the past year, approximately 20 foreign organizations, including Geneva Call and the Tony Blair Institute, have seen their licenses revoked or suspended. The repression has also turned personal; since 2022, over 70 aid workers have been detained. In a high-profile case in August 2025, the United Nations‘ top representative in Burkina Faso, Carol Flore-Smereczniak, was expelled following an UN report on violations against children.
Other incidents include the arbitrary detention of staff from the International Group Safety Organization (INSO). Eight employees were held on charges of espionage and treason before being released in late 2025. Additionally, a “general mobilization” decree from April 2023 has been used to forcibly conscript critics into the military. While some, such as investigative journalist Serge Oulon, remain missing, others have been released after periods of illegal service.
International human rights standards protect the freedom of association and expression. The FIDH Secretary General, Drissa Traoré, emphasized that a strong, independent civil society is essential for monitoring power and protecting marginalized communities. He called on the authorities in Burkina Faso to allow these organizations to operate without interference.