Burkina Faso dissolves 118 NGOs amid growing civil society crackdown

Reacting to Burkina Faso’s decision to dissolve 118 NGOs and associations, Ousmane Diallo, Senior Researcher on the Sahel at Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa Regional Office, issued a stark warning:

« This blatant violation of the right to freedom of association is deeply alarming. The dissolution of NGOs and associations directly contradicts Burkina Faso’s Constitution, which explicitly guarantees freedom of association and trade union rights. None of the constitutional amendments have altered this fundamental principle. »

He further emphasized that the move « blatantly disregards Burkina Faso’s international human rights obligations, particularly under the Africa Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the country is a signatory. »

This wave of dissolutions is part of a broader strategy to silence civil society through repressive measures.

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

The decision raises serious concerns about the shrinking civic space in Burkina Faso. Civil society organizations play a crucial role 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.

« This systematic crackdown extends beyond dissolutions. It includes abusive legislation, intimidation, harassment, arbitrary detentions, and prosecutions targeting human rights defenders and activists. Authorities must halt their assault on civic freedoms and fully comply with the country’s international human rights commitments. »

What led to this wave of dissolutions?

On April 15, 2026, Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization announced the dissolution of 118 NGOs and associations « in accordance with current legal provisions. » The move came without further explanation, leaving many questioning the motives behind such a sweeping decision.

This follows a series of concerning developments:

• January 29, 2026: All political parties were dissolved after being suspended for three years, further tightening the regime’s grip on political expression.
• November 2025: A presidential decree mandated that all national and international NGOs close their accounts with commercial banks and transfer their funds to a newly established state-controlled bank within the public treasury. This move raises serious concerns about the potential for arbitrary fund freezes, financial surveillance, and targeted sanctions.

Burkina Faso has been under military rule since two coups in January and September 2022. In May 2024, the military-led transition, originally set to conclude on July 2, 2024, was extended by five years, signaling a prolonged period of restricted freedoms under military governance.