Burkina Faso’s military government has cancelled the licences of four foreign non-governmental organisations and suspended two international associations from operating in the country.
According to documents seen by AFP on Friday, the decision was taken in mid-June by a government minister, who blamed the move on failures to meet official requirements.
The West African country, led by a military junta since a coup in September 2022, has made the push for full national control one of its main priorities.
The government has also continued to tighten its grip on civil society and the press. Authorities have often justified crackdowns on civil rights and media freedom as part of their wider fight against jihadist violence, which has lasted over ten years.
Reports show there has been a rise in kidnappings and secret arrests, especially of civilians who are seen as critics of the military leadership. Some diplomats have also been expelled for what the government described as “subversive” actions, while many foreign media outlets have been shut down.
Of the two associations affected by the June order, one was suspended over alleged data breaches. Both were banned from operating for three months.
Burkina Faso continues to face deadly attacks from jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, with violence spreading beyond its borders into Mali, Niger, and other parts of West Africa.
