Burkina Faso Junta Dissolves 118 NGOs: A Deepening Crackdown on Civil Society and Human Rights
In a dramatic escalation of its campaign against civil society, the military government of Burkina Faso has ordered the dissolution of 118 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and associations. This sweeping action, announced by the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Mobility on April 15, 2026, targets a wide array of groups, including many dedicated to human rights defence, women’s rights, and anti-torture advocacy. The government cites a July 2025 law on freedom of association as its legal basis, yet offers no specific justification for the mass closures beyond vague references to noncompliance. This move represents a significant intensification of the junta’s efforts to silence dissent and consolidate power under the guise of national security.
The Legal and Political Context: A Pattern of Repression
This mass dissolution is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of repression that has intensified since the military seized power in September 2022 under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traore. The junta has consistently targeted independent media, peaceful dissent, and international organisations. Critics argue that these measures are designed to silence opposition under the pretext of combating terrorism, as Burkina Faso grapples with insurgent groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The July 2025 law, ostensibly aimed at combating money laundering and terrorism financing, has been used to expand government control over the nonprofit sector, imposing burdensome requirements that hinder humanitarian work. For instance, international organisations must now appoint Burkinabè nationals to leadership positions, creating personal risks for those individuals who may be targeted for their association with foreign entities.
Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, highlighted the legal inconsistency of the crackdown. “The military government’s action, if based on alleged noncompliance with the 2025 law, appears legally questionable since the required time frame has not yet ended,” she stated. This observation underscores the arbitrary nature of the junta’s actions, which appear to bypass due process and legal timelines.
Systematic Erosion of Civic Space
Human Rights Advocates Condemn the Dissolution
Human rights advocates have described the dissolution as a “flagrant attack” on fundamental rights. Ousmane Diallo, a senior researcher for Amnesty International, emphasised the domestic and international implications. “Dissolving NGOs and associations is at odds with the constitution of Burkina Faso, which guarantees freedom of association and union. The various constitutional amendments have never questioned this principle,” Diallo said. He added that the move is “entirely inconsistent and incompatible with Burkina Faso’s international human rights obligations, including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which it is a state party.” Amnesty International warned that this is a broader effort to silence civil society through intimidation and arbitrary detention. Diallo further noted, “Authorities must immediately rescind this decision and allow them to freely carry out their work without fear of reprisals.”
The dissolution specifically targets groups like Action by Christians Against Torture (ACAT) and the Burkinabè Coalition for Women’s Rights (CBDF), which have been vital in documenting abuses and advocating for vulnerable populations. Their closure marks a significant blow to the rule of law and the protection of marginalised communities.
Legal Controversy and Administrative Barriers
Structural Changes to Monitor Civic Activity
The junta has implemented several structural changes to monitor and control civic activity. In November 2025, a decree forced all NGOs to move their funds to a state-controlled bank within the National Treasury, facilitating financial surveillance and the potential freezing of assets. This move effectively gives the government direct oversight of NGO finances, allowing it to choke off funding for groups it deems problematic. Additionally, the government dissolved all political parties in January 2026, and Captain Ibrahim Traore has reportedly told citizens they must “forget about” democracy for the time being. These actions reinforce a climate of fear that cripples independent civic activity and undermines the democratic process.
International Outcry and Constitutional Concerns
Repression Beyond Organisations: Targeting Individuals
Repression extends beyond organisations to individual activists and journalists. Authorities have detained more than 70 humanitarian workers since 2022, using an April 2023 “general mobilisation” decree to forcibly conscript critics into military service. High-ranking international officials have also been targeted. In August 2025, the government expelled the top United Nations representative, Carol Flore-Smereczniak, after a report detailed violations against children. Binta Sidibé Gascon, President of Observatoire KISAL, summarised the situation: “The mass dissolution of civil society groups is the Burkina Faso junta’s latest effort to silence dissent and avoid scrutiny of its grim human rights record,” she said. “The decision reinforces a climate of fear that is crippling independent civic activity.”
Financial Surveillance and Civil Liberty Restrictions
Regional and International Implications
The ongoing political transition in Ouagadougou, originally set to end in July 2024 but now extended by five years, presents a complex challenge for the West African sub-region. For neighbours like Ghana and members of the African Union, the shrinking of civic space in Burkina Faso signals a deepening departure from the democratic norms established by regional protocols. As the junta characterises NGOs as “imperialist labs,” the move risks isolating the country further from international developmental partners and regional safety networks. This isolation could exacerbate the security crisis, as international support for counter-terrorism efforts may be withdrawn or reduced.
Targeting Individuals and Humanitarian Workers
The Balance Between Security and Human Rights
The balance between state sovereignty and the protection of universal human rights remains at the centre of this crisis. While the military government maintains that these administrative measures are essential for national security and the fight against terrorism, the international community continues to argue that security cannot be achieved by dismantling the institutions that protect the citizenry. Drissa Traoré, FIDH Secretary General, emphasised the necessity of these groups. “A strong and independent civil society acts as a safeguard against abuses of power and amplifies the voices of marginalised communities,” he said. “The Burkinabè authorities should enable civil society groups to work freely and uphold the fundamental rights and liberties of everyone in Burkina Faso.”
As Burkina Faso navigates its extended transition, the fate of its 118 dissolved organisations will serve as a bellwether for the future of civil liberties across the Sahel. The international community must remain vigilant and apply pressure to ensure that the junta respects its obligations under international law. The dissolution of these NGOs is not just a local issue; it is a test of the global commitment to human rights and democratic governance.
Regional Implications for West African Stability
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