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, issued a strong warning:
« The arbitrary dissolution of civil society organizations blatantly violates the Burkina Faso Constitution, which upholds the right to freedom of association and assembly. Despite constitutional amendments, this fundamental right remains intact and must be respected.»
He further emphasized that the move contradicts 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 crackdown on civil society is part of a broader strategy to silence dissent through repressive measures, including restrictive laws, intimidation, arbitrary detentions, and harassment of human rights defenders.
Ousmane Diallo, Senior Sahel Researcher at Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa Regional Office
Civil society organizations play a vital role in safeguarding human rights and upholding the rule of law. Authorities must urgently reverse this decision and ensure these groups can operate without fear of retaliation or suppression.»
Background
On April 15, 2026, Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization announced the dissolution of 118 NGOs and associations, citing compliance with national laws but offering no further justification. This follows a pattern of escalating restrictions on civic freedoms.
In January 2026, all political parties were dissolved after a three-year suspension, further tightening the government’s grip on dissent. Earlier, in November 2025, a presidential decree mandated that all national and international NGOs transfer their accounts from commercial banks to a newly established state-controlled institution under the public treasury. This move raises concerns over potential fund freezes, financial surveillance, and targeted sanctions.
Since January and September 2022, Burkina Faso has been under military rule following two successive coups. The transition period, originally set to conclude on July 2, 2024, was extended by five years in May 2024, prolonging the junta’s hold on power.
