Responding to the news that 118 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and associations were dissolved in Burkina Faso, Ousmane Diallo, a senior Sahel researcher at Amnesty International’s regional office for West and Central Africa, stated:

« We are alarmed and profoundly troubled by this blatant infringement upon the right to freedom of association. The dissolution of these NGOs and associations directly contradicts Burkina Faso’s Constitution, which explicitly guarantees both freedom of association and the right to form trade unions. This fundamental principle has remained unchallenged through various constitutional amendments.

« Furthermore, this move is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with Burkina Faso’s international human rights obligations, particularly those stemming from the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the nation is a signatory.

This dissolution is part of broader efforts to silence civil society through repressive measures.

Ousmane Diallo, senior Sahel researcher at Amnesty International’s regional office for West and Central Africa

« Civil society organizations play an indispensable role in upholding and advocating for human rights and the rule of law. Authorities must immediately reverse this decision, allowing these organizations to operate freely without fear of retribution.

« This action is indicative of wider attempts to suppress civil society through a range of repressive tactics, including the implementation of abusive legislation, intimidation, harassment, arbitrary detention, and the prosecution of human rights defenders and activists.

« The authorities must cease their restrictions on civic space and their violations of human rights, upholding the country’s international human rights obligations and commitments. »

Context

On April 15, 2026, Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Mobility announced the dissolution of 118 NGOs and associations, citing