Burkina Faso's Military Government Dissolves Over 100 NGOs and Civil Society Groups

Ouagadougou. The military government of Burkina Faso has dissolved more than 100 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups.

 Human rights groups have strongly criticized this move, calling it a "serious attack" on fundamental civil liberties. The government announced the decision to dissolve 118 organizations and civic groups on Wednesday. The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Security has ordered these organizations to cease all activities immediately.

Most of the organizations were involved in human rights, civil liberties, and social monitoring. This move is considered the latest phase of a crackdown under the leadership of military leader Ibrahim Traore, who came to power following a military coup in 2022. Previously, the government had already dissolved all political parties in the country. While the government claims the decision was made in accordance with existing legal provisions, human rights organizations have labeled it an attempt to suppress dissent. 

International human rights organization Amnesty International has expressed concern, calling it a "severe crackdown on civil society." According to Ousmane Diallo, a senior researcher for the Sahel region at Amnesty International, this move is inconsistent with Burkina Faso's constitution and international human rights commitments. He has accused the government of consistently using legal, administrative, and repressive measures to weaken civil society. Tensions between the government and civil society organizations have been steadily rising in Burkina Faso in recent years. 

The government has frequently accused NGOs of collaborating with terrorist groups or engaging in espionage, allegations that many rights groups have dismissed as baseless. Previously, the government had ordered all NGOs to move their bank accounts to state-controlled banks, and political parties were also completely dissolved. Recently, President Traore's remarks urging citizens to "forget" their expectations of democracy also sparked controversy.