International concerns mount over suppression of civic freedoms in Burkina Faso
In response to the Burkina Faso government’s dissolution of 118 NGOs and associations, Ousmane Diallo, Senior Researcher for the Sahel at Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa Regional Office, issued a strong condemnation:
« This blatant violation of the right to freedom of association strikes a severe blow to civic freedoms in the country. The dissolution of these organizations directly contravenes the Burkina Faso Constitution, which unequivocally protects the rights to association and assembly. No constitutional amendment has ever undermined this fundamental principle.»
He further emphasized that the move disregards Burkina Faso’s international human rights obligations, including those under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which the country has ratified.
This crackdown is part of a disturbing pattern to silence civil society through repressive measures, stifling dissent and undermining democratic values.
Ousmane Diallo, Senior Researcher for the Sahel at Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa Regional Office
« Civil society organizations are vital in upholding human rights and the rule of law. Authorities must reverse this decision immediately and ensure these groups can operate without fear of retaliation or arbitrary restrictions,» he added.
« The current wave of repression extends beyond NGO dissolutions, encompassing abusive laws, intimidation, arbitrary detentions, and legal harassment of human rights defenders and activists. These actions only serve to shrink civic space and erode democratic principles.»
Amnesty International urges the Burkina Faso authorities to end their assault on civic freedoms, comply with international human rights standards, and restore the space for civil society to function independently.»
Timeline of escalating restrictions in Burkina Faso
On April 15, 2026, Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Mobility announced the dissolution of 118 NGOs and associations, citing vague « legal provisions » without further explanation. This followed a series of restrictive measures that have systematically undermined civic freedoms in the country.
Earlier, in January 2026, all political parties were dissolved after being suspended for three years. This move removed a key pillar of democratic participation, further consolidating the military’s grip on power.
In November 2025, a presidential decree mandated that all national and international NGOs transfer their bank accounts from commercial banks to a newly established state-controlled financial institution under the Treasury. This shift raises serious concerns over potential fund freezes, financial surveillance, and targeted sanctions against civil society groups.»
The military regime in Burkina Faso emerged after two coups in January and September 2022. Despite an initially planned transition ending in July 2024, the military junta extended its rule by an additional five years in May 2024, deepening concerns over democratic backsliding.»
