Burkina Faso dissolves 118 civil society groups

Burkina Faso’s military government has ordered the dissolution of 118 associations and civil society groups, according to a statement from the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Mobility on Wednesday.

The groups are all based in Burkina Faso, with many involved in human rights work. The government said the dissolution followed “current legal provisions” and did not provide further details.

Rights groups have condemned the decision. Ousmane Diallo, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, called it “part of a much broader effort to silence civil society through a combination of repressive tactics.”

The government has not yet responded to Diallo’s statement.

Wednesday’s dissolution follows a series of similar actions since Captain Ibrahim Traore took power in a 2022 coup. In July 2025, Traore signed a law restricting rights groups and unions. Within one month, 21 groups lost their authorisation, and 10 others received three-month suspensions.

In January 2026, the government dissolved all political parties after three years of suspension. Earlier this month, Traore told citizens they must “forget about” democracy.

Territorial Administration Minister Emile Zerbo warned that offenders face penalties under current regulations. He did not specify what those penalties are.

Diallo called on authorities to immediately reverse the decision, stating that the dissolution is “inconsistent and incompatible with Burkina Faso’s international human rights obligations.”

Burkina Faso has been fighting armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL for several years. NGOs with international funding have previously been accused by the government of spying or colluding with militants. No evidence has been provided in connection with Wednesday’s dissolution.

SOURCE: AN