Burkina Faso’s decision to dissolve over 100 NGOs sparks widespread concern

Following 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, expressed deep alarm:

The move constitutes a blatant violation of the constitutional right to freedom of association, which remains enshrined in Burkina Faso’s legal framework despite recent amendments. This action also contradicts the country’s international human rights obligations, including those outlined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which Burkina Faso has ratified.

This sweeping dissolution represents a calculated effort to suppress civil society through oppressive measures, further eroding the space for human rights advocacy and democratic participation.

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

Civil society organizations are indispensable in safeguarding human rights and upholding the rule of law. Authorities must immediately revoke this decision and ensure these organizations can operate without fear of retaliation or arbitrary restrictions.

The dissolution is part of a broader pattern of repression, including the abuse of legislation, intimidation tactics, arbitrary detentions, and persecution of human rights defenders and activists. Such actions undermine Burkina Faso’s international commitments and signal a dangerous erosion of civic freedoms.

To restore trust and compliance with international standards, the government must end its systematic restrictions on civic space and guarantee the protection of fundamental freedoms.

Key developments leading to the dissolution

On April 15, 2026, Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Mobility announced the dissolution of 118 NGOs and associations, citing compliance with existing laws. However, no further justification was provided for these sweeping measures.

Earlier, in January 2026, all political parties were dissolved after being suspended for three years, eliminating another critical pillar of democratic engagement.

In 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 under the public treasury. This move raises serious concerns about potential arbitrary fund freezes, financial surveillance, and targeted sanctions.

Burkina Faso has been under military rule since two successive coups in January and September 2022. In May 2024, the military-led transition, originally scheduled to conclude on July 2, 2024, was extended by five years, prolonging the country’s political uncertainty.