Burkina Faso civil society crackdown as 118 ngos and associations dissolved

In response to Burkina Faso’s decision to dissolve 118 NGOs and associations, Ousmane Diallo, Senior Sahel Researcher at Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa Regional Office, expressed deep concern:

« The abrupt dissolution of these organizations blatantly violates the Burkina Faso Constitution, which upholds the right to freedom of association and unionization. Furthermore, constitutional amendments have never altered this fundamental principle.»

He also highlighted the decision’s incompatibility with Burkina Faso’s international human rights obligations, including 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 sweeping dissolution is part of a broader strategy to suppress civil society through repressive measures, including restrictive laws, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and targeted prosecutions of human rights defenders and activists.

Ousmane Diallo, Senior Sahel Researcher at Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa Regional Office

Civil society organizations are vital to advancing human rights and upholding the rule of law. Authorities must immediately reverse this decision and ensure these groups can operate without fear of reprisals or interference.

« The systematic clampdown on civic space and human rights violations must cease. Burkina Faso must honor its international commitments and respect the rights of its people.»

Context behind the dissolutions

On April 15, Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Mobility announced the dissolution of 118 NGOs and associations, citing compliance with existing laws—but provided no further justification.

This follows the January 2026 dissolution of all political parties after a three-year suspension.

In November 2025, a presidential decree mandated that all national and international NGOs close their commercial bank accounts and transfer funds to a newly established state-controlled bank under the Treasury. This move raises serious concerns over potential arbitrary fund freezes, financial surveillance, and punitive measures.

Since the military took power in January and September 2022, Burkina Faso has been under a transitional regime. The originally planned transition deadline of July 2, 2024, was extended by five years in May 2024.