Amnesty condemns Burkina Faso junta’s sweeping ban of NGOs

Abidjan: Amnesty International called on Burkina Faso’s ruling junta on April 16 to reverse its dissolution of more than 100 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and associations, labelling it a “flagrant attack” on basic rights.

The statement came a day after the west African nation’s military rulers ordered the dissolution of 118 groups, many of them involved in the defence of human rights, and banned them from operating in the country.

“We are alarmed and deeply concerned by this flagrant attack on the right to freedom of association. Dissolving NGOs and associations is at odds with the Constitution of Burkina Faso,” said Amnesty’s senior researcher for the Sahel region Ousmane Diallo.

“This dissolution is also entirely inconsistent and incompatible with Burkina Faso’s international human rights obligations,” he said in a statement, calling for the authorities to “immediately” rescind the decision.

Since taking power in a 2022 coup, the junta has cracked down on NGOs, unions and the freedom of assembly, along with opposition to its rule.

Burkina Faso is fighting a long-running battle with militants linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, and NGOs with international funding regularly face accusations of spying for and colluding with the jihadists.

In July 2025, the junta’s chief, Captain Ibrahim Traore, signed a law restricting the operations of rights groups and unions.