Military junta in Burkina Faso cracks down on civil society
Burkina Faso’s military regime tightens grip on civil society with sweeping restrictions
The military-led government in Burkina Faso is escalating its crackdown on civil society, imposing restrictive laws, administrative pressures, and punitive measures targeting both national and international organizations. This alarming trend, highlighted by Human Rights Watch, the Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l’Homme (FIDH), and the Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT) under the Observatoire pour la protection des défenseur·es des droits humains, demands immediate scrutiny.
The government’s restrictive approach reached a new peak on April 15, 2026, when the Minister of Territorial Administration and Mobility announced the dissolution of 118 civil society organizations—many of which were actively involved in human rights advocacy. Authorities cited a July 2025 freedom of association law as justification, yet provided no concrete evidence of violations beyond vague claims of non-compliance.
« The mass dissolution of civil society organizations is the latest move by Burkina Faso’s junta to silence dissent and evade scrutiny over its dismal human rights record, » said Binta Sidibé Gascon, Chair of Observatoire KISAL. « This decision deepens a climate of fear that stifles independent civic engagement. »
Systematic repression since the 2022 coup
Since the military seized power in September 2022, authorities have systematically targeted NGOs, independent media, human rights defenders, and peaceful dissent. Measures have included suspensions, bans, expulsions, and arbitrary detentions of both local and international organizations and individuals. Over 70 humanitarian workers, mostly Burkinabè, have been detained since 2022, with many facing accusations of espionage or treason.
Key targets include:
- Humanitarian groups like Action des Chrétiens contre la Torture (ACAT) and the Burkinabè Coalition for Women’s Rights (CBDF), despite their apparent compliance with the 2025 law.
- International NGOs such as Comunità di Sant’Egidio, Diakonia, Geneva Call, and the Tony Blair Institute, whose licenses were revoked between June and July 2025 under unclear procedural grounds.
- Media outlets and journalists, including the suspension of Radio Omega for three months in August 2025.
In a particularly brazen move, the military expelled the UN Resident Coordinator in Burkina Faso, Carol Flore-Smereczniak, in August 2025, declaring her persona non grata following an UN report on child rights violations in the country.
Legal framework used to justify repression
The July 2025 freedom of association law, marketed as a tool to regulate non-profits and combat money laundering and terrorism financing, has instead granted the government sweeping control over civil society. Among its most controversial provisions:
- Mandatory leadership and financial roles for Burkinabè nationals in foreign NGOs, exposing them to personal risks.
- The September 2025 Family Code, which allows authorities to strip citizenship from individuals deemed to act against state interests, creating a risk of statelessness.
In April 2026, the junta threatened « firm measures » against what it labeled « imperialist NGOs disguised as humanitarian groups », following a Human Rights Watch report documenting war crimes and crimes against humanity by all parties in the conflict since 2023.
Additional bureaucratic hurdles, such as the « statistical visa » requirement for independent research and data collection, further impede civil society work in an already restrictive environment.
Arbitrary detentions and forced conscription
Since 2022, authorities have used a 2023 general mobilization decree—an emergency law—to justify the forced conscription of critics, journalists, civil society activists, and judicial personnel. Between July and October 2025, at least six journalists and three activists were released, but others remain missing, including investigative journalist Serge Oulon.
The decree grants the president broad powers to combat Islamist insurgencies, including requisitioning individuals and limiting civil liberties. However, human rights organizations argue that its application has been selective and disproportionate, violating international human rights standards.
International law and the role of civil society
Under international law, freedom of expression and association are fundamental rights that must be protected without undue interference. Restrictions must be necessary, proportionate, and non-discriminatory—criteria Burkina Faso’s recent actions do not meet, according to the four organizations monitoring the situation.
« A strong and independent civil society serves as a safeguard against power abuses and amplifies the voices of marginalized communities, » said Drissa Traoré, Secretary-General of FIDH. « Burkinabè authorities must allow civil society organizations to operate freely and uphold the fundamental rights of all citizens. »
As the junta tightens its grip, the future of civic space in Burkina Faso hangs in the balance, with dire consequences for human rights and democratic freedoms.
