Burkina Faso’s transitional authorities have taken decisive action, suspending 811 associations and dissolving another 118 since mid-April. These measures were attributed to the “non-renewal of their governing bodies” and the application of “existing legal provisions,” though further specifics were not provided.
The organizations affected by these suspensions, effective from May 12, 2026, operate in diverse critical sectors including healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, gender equality initiatives, and religious affairs. A ministerial order specifies that during the suspension period, only activities aimed at bringing each association into compliance are permitted.
Intensified Scrutiny
In July 2025, Captain Ibrahim Traoré signed into law a new framework governing the freedom of association for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and trade unions. While this legislation upholds the principle of freedom of association, it simultaneously subjects it to rigorous requirements for declaration, administrative oversight, and legal adherence, with potential penalties that could extend to complete dissolution.
The government’s stated objectives behind these regulations are to bolster transparency, establish a comprehensive mapping of all associations and NGOs, and actively combat money laundering and the financing of “terrorism.”
International NGOs and organizations receiving foreign funding frequently face accusations from the current administration, ranging from espionage to alleged complicity with jihadist factions. Human Rights Watch, a prominent human rights advocacy group, expressed its apprehension in late April, noting that the new law effectively enables the junta to “intensify its widespread repression of civil society.”
