Burkina Faso’s transitional authorities have taken stringent measures against non-governmental organizations, suspending 811 associations for failing to renew their governing bodies and dissolving an additional 118 since mid-April. These actions, impacting nearly a thousand groups, were justified by appeals to “current legal provisions,” though further specifics were not provided.

The directive, effective May 12, 2026, targets organizations active across vital sectors such as health, education, women’s empowerment, gender initiatives, and religious affairs. The ministerial order clarifies that during this suspension period, only activities aimed at regularizing each association’s status are permitted.

Crackdown on civil society

In July 2025, Captain Ibrahim Traoré signed into law a new legislative framework governing freedom of association for non-governmental organizations and trade unions. While this legislation formally acknowledges the right to associate, it simultaneously imposes rigorous obligations concerning declarations, administrative oversight, and legal adherence, with potential penalties including outright dissolution.

The stated goals of the Burkina Faso authorities for these measures are to enhance transparency, establish a comprehensive mapping of all associations and NGOs, and crucially, to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

International non-governmental organizations and those operating with foreign funding frequently face accusations from the current administration of engaging in espionage or collaborating with jihadist groups. In late April, Human Rights Watch, a prominent human rights advocacy organization, voiced concerns that the new law effectively enables the Burkina Faso junta to escalate its widespread suppression of civil society.