The military junta in Burkina Faso suspended 247 associations on Tuesday, May 12, for what authorities described as the “failure to renew their governing bodies,” bringing the total number of suspended or dissolved organizations to 929 in less than a month.
Since mid-April, the authorities have suspended 811 associations for the same reason and dissolved another 118, citing “existing legal provisions” without providing further details. The associations suspended “effective from May 12, 2026” operate in several sectors, including healthcare, education, women’s and gender promotion, and religion.
According to the ministerial decree, “during the suspension period, only actions aimed at regularizing the situation of each association are authorized.” In July 2025, Ibrahim Traoré enacted a law tightening regulations governing freedom of association, NGOs, and trade unions.
The legislation reaffirmed freedom of association while making it subject to strict requirements related to registration, administrative oversight, and legal compliance, with penalties that may include dissolution.
According to the authorities, the objective is to strengthen transparency, map associations and NGOs operating in the country, and combat money laundering and the financing of what the government describes as “terrorism.”
International NGOs and organizations receiving foreign funding are frequently accused by the ruling authorities of espionage or collusion with jihadist groups.
In late April, Human Rights Watch criticized the law, warning that it would allow the junta “to intensify its widespread crackdown on civil society.”
Leave a comment