The Burkina Faso junta has accused a Dutch-based humanitarian organisation of espionage and treason, escalating tensions between the military government and international aid groups operating in the country. The arrest of eight individuals — including foreign nationals and local staff — marks a significant deterioration in relations between civil society organisations and the ruling military authorities.
The individuals detained include three Europeans, one Malian national, and four Burkinabé citizens. Among them are the country director and deputy director of the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO), which has been working in Burkina Faso since 2019.
The country’s Security Minister Mahamadou Sana announced the arrests on Tuesday, accusing INSO of “collecting and passing on sensitive security information” that could compromise national security and aid foreign governments.
“These actions amount to spying and treason,” he said.
Burkina Faso Junta’s Crackdown on INSO Draws International Concern
The arrests and accusations have drawn attention to the increasingly strained environment in Burkina Faso under the military junta led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup. Since then, the junta has distanced itself from traditional Western allies and aligned more closely with Russia for military assistance in its ongoing battle against Islamist insurgents.
INSO has categorically denied all accusations. Speaking to the BBC’s Newsday programme, Anthony Neal, a senior representative for the NGO, confirmed that the organisation’s country director had been in detention since July, shortly after the government suspended INSO’s operations for “unauthorised data collection.”
Neal said the remaining seven members were arrested later, as the government intensified its scrutiny of foreign organisations.
“We continue to work towards their safe and immediate release,” Neal said. “The information INSO collects is meant solely to improve the safety of humanitarian workers, and is not confidential or politically sensitive.”
The Burkina Faso junta suspended INSO’s operations on 31 July for a three-month period, citing concerns over its data collection practices. The military government accused the organisation of operating beyond the bounds of its mandate by gathering security-related information without government authorisation.
However, Neal stated that INSO had halted all information-collection activities immediately after the suspension order, although staff remained in the country to address the detentions and fulfill contractual obligations.
“The authorities were fully aware of our operations, and we had long-standing cooperation with them,” he added. “We are committed to transparency and have made numerous efforts to engage the government to resolve this situation.”
Despite the suspension, the Security Minister alleged on Tuesday that INSO staff had continued to “secretly collect information and hold meetings” — a claim the organisation flatly denies.
In a public statement, INSO reiterated that none of its data is classified and that it is solely used to help protect aid workers operating in high-risk environments. The organisation also noted the alarming number of humanitarian workers killed worldwide in 2023, highlighting the urgency of having access to reliable safety information.
The incident is the latest in a broader pattern of growing hostility toward international organisations and Western governments under the Burkina Faso junta. Since coming to power, Captain Traoré’s administration has cut military ties with France, expelled French troops, and increasingly leaned on Russia for military support against jihadist groups.
At the same time, human rights organisations have accused the junta of committing widespread abuses, including civilian killings, enforced disappearances, and the repression of free speech and political dissent.
Analysts say the arrest of NGO workers is emblematic of the junta’s hardline stance toward international scrutiny, particularly from organisations perceived to be aligned with Western interests.
“This is not just about INSO,” said one regional expert. “It’s part of a larger trend of the junta trying to consolidate power and control the narrative inside the country, especially amid worsening insecurity.”
The current political climate under the Burkina Faso junta has raised serious concerns about the future of humanitarian operations in one of the world’s most volatile regions. According to the United Nations, over two million people have been displaced by conflict in Burkina Faso, and humanitarian access remains severely restricted in many areas.
With international NGOs facing increasing suspicion and pressure, aid delivery and staff safety are becoming more precarious.
Despite the risks, INSO remains committed to negotiating with the government for the release of its staff and to clarify its mission.
“Our work is not political,” said Neal. “It’s about saving lives — including the lives of Burkinabé people — by helping humanitarian workers operate more safely in a dangerous environment.”
As tensions rise between the Burkina Faso junta and international NGOs, many are watching closely to see how this case unfolds and whether it will signal a wider crackdown on humanitarian actors in the country.
Source- BBC
