Burkina Faso revoked licences of four foreign NGOs and suspended two others for alleged breaches, amid the junta's push for national sovereignty. Authorities continue to repress dissent and limit foreign influence, citing the fight against jihadist violence.

Burkina Faso has revoked the licences of four foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and suspended two additional associations, according to decrees issued by the government and seen by AFP on Friday. The documents, dated in mid-June, cited statements from a government minister who attributed the withdrawal of the licences to violations of formal administrative procedures. The suspensions and revocations come amid ongoing efforts by the ruling military authorities to assert tighter control over foreign involvement within the country.

The military junta currently in power seized control in a coup in September 2022. Since then, the junta has repeatedly emphasised the restoration of national sovereignty as one of its central goals. Under this banner, the government has implemented various measures aimed at reducing external influence and increasing its grip on domestic affairs. These include restricting the activities of foreign entities, tightening regulations, and scrutinising partnerships with international organisations.

Alongside these moves, the junta has taken a hardline stance against dissent. Civil society groups and media outlets have been frequent targets of repression, with the authorities citing national security concerns and the ongoing fight against jihadist violence as justification. Burkina Faso has been battling extremist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State for nearly a decade, with the violence having spread from neighbouring Mali and Niger and destabilised much of the Sahel region.

In recent months, there has been a noticeable rise in reported cases of kidnappings and extrajudicial arrests. Civilians perceived as being critical of or hostile to the junta have been particularly affected. The government’s increasingly authoritarian posture has also extended to its treatment of foreign diplomats, some of whom have been expelled for alleged “subversive” activities. Likewise, several international media organisations have been forced to cease operations in the country.

The two foreign associations affected by the most recent decrees were suspended for a period of three months. According to the documents, one of the suspended groups was accused of violating data protection laws, though specific details about the nature of the breaches were not made public.

Burkina Faso continues to struggle under the weight of ongoing violence and instability. The persistent threat from jihadist insurgents has exacerbated insecurity and deepened humanitarian challenges. As the junta moves to consolidate power and limit foreign influence, observers have raised concerns about the shrinking space for civil liberties and international cooperation in a country already beset by conflict and crisis.