Burkina Faso frees aid workers arrested for ‘spying’

Eight INSO staff members arrested in Burkina Faso on spying allegations were released at the end of October. The NGO had been banned alongside 21 others, and authorities accused it of sharing sensitive security information with foreign powers. INSO denies wrongdoing and says it only provides security analysis for humanitarian groups. Niger also revoked the organisation’s authorisation later in 2024.

Eight personnel from the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) have regained their freedom after being detained by Burkinabe authorities on accusations of espionage, the organisation confirmed on Friday. Their arrests had taken place gradually from July, creating weeks of uncertainty for colleagues and family members, but the detentions only became publicly known when the government made an announcement in early October. INSO later clarified that its staff were quietly released at the end of October, even before the news of their arrest had fully circulated.

The arrests came in the wake of Burkina Faso’s decision to revoke the operational authorisation of 21 non-governmental organisations in July, a move that also affected INSO, which is headquartered in the Netherlands and provides safety and security support for humanitarian actors working in conflict-affected areas. The withdrawal of authorisation immediately raised concerns among aid agencies about shrinking humanitarian space in a country grappling with violent extremism, displacement, and limited access to communities in urgent need of assistance.

In its statement, INSO expressed relief over the safe return of all eight colleagues and extended appreciation to partners and supporters who played a role—publicly or discreetly—in resolving the situation. The group did not disclose the details of negotiations or communication with the Burkinabe authorities, maintaining a cautious tone given the sensitivity of the allegations and the broader political climate.

According to the government, INSO’s staff had collected sensitive security information about Burkina Faso and allegedly transmitted it to foreign powers. Officials further claimed that some members of the organisation continued operating covertly even after the NGO had been banned. These allegations contributed to heightened tensions between the authorities and international humanitarian groups, many of whom rely on INSO’s assessments to navigate security risks in volatile regions.

The eight released individuals represented a diverse group: a French national, a French-Senegalese woman, a Czech citizen, a Malian worker and four Burkinabe staff members. Their detentions had raised alarm within the humanitarian community, prompting questions about whether other NGOs could face similar scrutiny or accusations while carrying out their missions.

INSO, which did not provide additional information about the accusations, reiterated that its sole mandate is to produce independent, neutral security analyses to help humanitarian organisations deliver aid as safely as possible. It stressed that its work is designed to protect both aid workers and vulnerable populations who depend on humanitarian assistance.

The organisation now faces challenges beyond Burkina Faso. By late 2024, Niger—a close ally of Burkina Faso and a country also undergoing major political shifts—revoked INSO’s authorisation to operate within its borders. This decision further restricts the organisation’s ability to support humanitarian efforts in the Sahel region, where insecurity, coups, and strained relations with foreign partners have complicated the work of both local and international aid groups.