General
Burkina Faso’s security crisis deepens with surge in violence and civilian killings
According to the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, since the military coup in September 2022 led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the security situation in Burkina Faso has significantly worsened. Fatalities from militant Islamist group violence have nearly tripled, reaching 17,775 in the past three years, compared to 6,630 in the three years prior to the coup. Violence against civilians by these groups has also surged, with at least 2,823 civilian deaths recorded since the junta took power, an 87% increase. Burkina Faso’s control over its territory has diminished, with government forces now operating freely in as little as 30% of the country, down from about 50% in 2022. Militant groups have expanded their presence, encircling roughly 130 towns and cities with siege tactics and intensifying violence across an estimated 165,000 square kilometres. Concurrently, Burkinabe security forces and allied militias have been linked to a 132% increase in violence against civilians, allegedly causing 2,121 fatalities since the coup. This deterioration occurs despite a sophisticated information campaign by the junta, supported by Russian actors, aimed at projecting an image of success and stability.
In addition, the military regime in Burkina Faso continues to negatively affect civic space by employing various repressive strategies to suppress dissent and limit political activism, including abductions and arbitrary arrests. Media professionals and civil society activists are particularly vulnerable, with reports of individuals in military attire, presumably regime-affiliated, conducting abductions and arrests.
On 10th and 11th March 2025 in Solenzo, the military government and the pro-government militia, known as the Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland (VDP), allegedly killed more than 130 Fulani civilians. The Fulani community, suspected of supporting armed groups, was reportedly targeted by military and the VDP as they tried to leave Solenzo for Côte d’Ivoire, following directives from local authorities to vacate the area.
New law criminalising same-sex marriage adopted
On 2nd September 2025, the Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT) unanimously passed a new law criminalising homosexuality in the country for the first time, imposing prison sentences of two to five years and fines, with foreign nationals convicted facing expulsion. This legislation is part of a wider reform of the “Code of Persons and Families” which also tightens nationality acquisition through marriage and recognises religious and customary unions. Amnesty International have criticised the new law, highlighting that it fosters discrimination, breaches the right to equality before the law, and contradicts international legal standards. Amnesty International have urged President Ibrahim Traoré to refer the Code back to the Transitional Legislative Assembly for revision before enactment, stressing that all individuals deserve respect for their private and family life free from fear and discrimination.
New bill dissolves the Independent National Electoral Commission
On 16th July 2025, the Council of Ministers in Burkina Faso, chaired by President Ibrahim Traoré, adopted a bill dissolving the country’s Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), shifting responsibility for organising future elections to the interior ministry. According to the Ministry of Territorial Administration, the decision was part of broader state restructuring efforts and institutional reforms aimed at rationalising the operational costs of the state. This move further concentrates power in the hands of the executive and tightens the junta’s grip on power.
Amnesty granted to about 21 soldiers
On 31st March 2025, by a presidential decree of 24th March 2025, President Ibrahim Traore granted amnesty to about 21 soldiers convicted for their involvement in the failed 16th September 2015 military coup against the post-Compaoré transitional government. The decision was made in accordance with a law enacted by the transitional legislature on 30th December 2024, aimed at reassessing the convictions linked to the September 2015 event.
Forceful conscription of journalists into the army
As reported previously by CIVICUS Monitor, the forceful recruitment of some activists and journalists into the army continues, effectively silencing their civic activities. This is exemplified by the cases of three Burkinabe journalists - Guézouma Sanogo, Boukari Ouoba, and Luc Pagbelguem - who were seen in military uniform. Similarly, Dr. Arouna Louré, a medical expert, was forcibly conscripted and compelled to serve on the frontlines against jihadists, due to his vocal criticism of Burkina Faso’s military regime.
ASSEMBLY
Public protest occasions chaos and deaths
On 25th November 2024 in Solenzo locality, Boucle du Mouhoun region, a canton chief was lynched during a violent public protest staged by the local population and internally displaced persons. The demonstration was sparked by growing insecurity in the region, following an attack on the VDP’s base on 21st November 2024, which resulted in the death of 15 civilian volunteers. During the public protests, the population attacked the canton chief’s residence, which was looted and burnt, and assaulted his wives. The defence and security forces injured several demonstrators with gun shots during the dispersal of the demonstrators. This incident followed the murder of another chief in the Kossi province the day before. On 26th November 2024, a government delegation led by the Minister of State, Bassolma Bazié, visited the Solenzo area to convey the government’s sympathy for the incident and to pledge its commitment to holding those responsible to account. In a communique, the former ruling party, Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) also voiced concern at the incidents and its support for accountability.
EXPRESSION
Three journalists released after over a year in enforced disappearance, while one other remains missing
On 16th September 2025 in Ouagadougou, authorities released journalists Adama Bayala and Alain Traoré after over a year in enforced disappearance. Bayala, a political analyst and commentator for BF1, was abducted by unidentified men on 28th June 2024 in Ouagadougou after leaving his office, following prior social media threats from a pro-junta Facebook account. Traoré, editor-in-chief of Omega Media and host of Radio Oméga’s Le Défouloir, was abducted from his home by armed men claiming to be National Intelligence Agency (ANR) agents on 13th July 2024. In October 2024, the Ministry of Justice admitted the forcible conscription of Traoré to fight against armed groups under a “general mobilisation” decree signed in 2023 by Ibrahim Traore, President of Burkina Faso. Bayala and Traoré were reportedly abducted for their open criticism of the military regime.
The disappearances of Bayala and Traoré followed the abduction of Serge Atiana Oulon, editor-in-chief of L’Événement newspaper. On 24th June 2024 in Ouagadougou, an armed commando in civilian clothes claiming to be members of the Burkinabe secret service arrested Oulon, editor-in-chief of L’Évènement newspaper, during a nighttime raid at his residence. Like Bayala and Traoré, Oulon is also known for his critical investigation and reporting of the activities of the military regime. As reported previously by the CIVICUS Monitor, Oulon, Bayala and Traoré were abducted and forcibly conscripted into the army. Unlike Bayala and Traoré, Oulon remains missing.
Similarly, Kalifara Séré, another missing Burkinabe columnist abducted on 19th June 2024 and conscripted under the same 2023 “general mobilisation” decree, reappeared at his home on 11th July 2025, frail but conscious.
Death of Burkinabe activist Alino Faso in Ivorian detention
On 24th July 2025, in Côte d’Ivoire, Burkinabe activist Alain Christophe Traoré, known as Alino Faso, was discovered dead by hanging while in detention at the gendarmerie school in Abidjan. An official statement from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, released on 27th July, declared his death a suicide by hanging, noting that Alino Faso had used his own bedsheet after a failed attempt to cut his wrist. Traoré had been arrested by Ivorian law enforcement on 10th January 2025, and was detained in Côte d’Ivoire on serious charges: “intelligence with agents of a foreign state”, “conspiracy against the authority of the state” and “spreading false information intended to demoralise the population.” Following the announcement of his death, Traoré’s family filed a complaint with the Attorney General of Burkina Faso, who subsequently initiated a judicial investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Prominent Burkina Faso lawyer arrested for criticising the military government
On the night of 31st August to 1st September 2025, in Ouagadougou, armed men claiming to be from the national gendarmerie arrested prominent lawyer Ini Benjamine Esther Doli, after being accused of “treason” and “insulting” the head of state for publishing Facebook posts criticising alleged human rights violations by Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s military government. Doli’s post criticised human rights violations by Burkina Faso’s military regime and appealed to Putin for help in freeing unjustly detained individuals. The Bar Association of Burkina Faso, in an official communiqué, demanded Doli’s immediate release, while the country’s prosecutor opened an investigation into her actions. Doli’s current whereabouts remain unknown.
Burkina Faso junta arrests journalists, dissolves press association
On 24th March 2025 in Ouagadougou, agents of the military regime arrested Guezouma Sanogo and Boukari Ouoba, president and vice-president of the Association des Journalistes du Burkina (AJB) respectively, along with Luc Pagbelguem, a journalist from BF1 television. Suspected agents of the National Intelligence Service (ANR) arrested Guezouma Sanogo and Boukari after their association denounced the junta’s crackdown on free expression during the AJB congress on 21st March 2025. Two agents of the National Security Council (CNS) arrested Pagbelguem at the BF1 television station to interrogate him following a report he had published on the AJB Congress of 21st March. The three journalists were taken to an unknown destination. It is alleged that Sanogo, Boukari and Pagbelguem have been forcibly conscripted into the army and are positioned at the frontline to document the conflict between the junta’s forces and a jihadist terrorist group. On 25th March 2025, the military regime dissolved the AJB, citing alleged non-compliance with association laws. On 18th and 21st July 2025, Boukari and Pagbelguem and Sanogo, two other journalists and one human rights activist who were arbitrarily arrested for the same reasons and forcefully conscripted into the army, were released.
Media Freedom Coalition condemns press restrictions in Burkina Faso
On 17th December 2024, the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) in a declaration expressed concern over the diminishing freedom for media personnel and independent voices in Burkina Faso. This alarm was raised after the Superior Council for Communication (CSC) decided to ban indefinitely local media outlets from rebroadcasting content from any foreign news sources. The MFC criticises the ongoing penalisation of both local and international media by the CSC, which obstructs journalists from performing their duties. Additionally, the MFC denounces the targeted conscription of journalists into the military, a punitive measure aimed at silencing those who report on security and conflict issues, including investigative journalists critical of the government. On 18th June 2025, the MFC raised similar concern during the 59th session of the Human Rights Council. The MFC calls on the government to uphold press freedom and the right to information as guaranteed by the Burkinabe Constitution.
ASSOCIATION
New law governing associations adopted
On 17th July 2025 in Ouagadougou, the ALT unanimously adopted a new law on freedom of association aimed at strengthening the regulation and oversight of associations in Burkina Faso. The 87-article law mandates that all associations regularly submit budgets, annual accounts, and financial reports to relevant ministries to enhance transparency and combat money laundering and terrorism financing. It also prohibits government ministers and administrative officials from holding executive roles in associations to prevent conflicts of interest, and distinguishes associations from political and commercial entities. The law separates NGO status from establishment conventions, reserving it for organisations funding development projects, and introduces an integrated monitoring system involving local authorities to oversee their activities.
However, this new law faces challenges, including the requirement for all associations to submit detailed financial reports to multiple ministries, which may complicate compliance, and the introduction of a one-year grace period that may be insufficient for some to adapt. Additionally, the law’s provision allowing government restrictions on the union rights of certain professional groups for national security or essential service continuity raises concerns about potential limitations on freedoms and the need for yet-to-be-defined compensatory mechanisms.
Burkina Faso opposition leader abducted and detained after criticising the military regime
On 26th July 2025 in Ouagadougou, armed men dressed in civilian attire abducted Hermann Yaméogo, a 77-year-old lawyer, opposition party leader, and president of the National Union for Democracy and Development (UNDD).
This incident occurred shortly after Yaméogo published a critical analysis of Captain Ibrahim Traoré's military regime on social media the previous day. In his critique, Yaméogo alleged that the military junta was using a general mobilisation decree to suppress dissent, forcing critics to fight jihadists.
Yaméogo was taken to the National Intelligence Agency (ANR), where he was reportedly treated with “courtesy” but denied food and water during his detention. He was released after 24 hours in custody.
Several foreign and local NGOs suspended
On 4th June 2025, the minister in charge of Territorial Administration, Emile Zerbo, issued an order suspending the activities of the Swedish non-governmental organisation (NGO) DIAKONIA for a period of three months. The order does not mention the reasons for the sanction.
On 16th June 2025, Émile Zerbo, the Minister of Territorial Administration once again issued orders revoking the operating licences of 11 foreign NGOs and suspending a local sports association. The government cited non-compliance with national legislation as the reason for these actions. Specifically, the foreign NGOs allegedly failed to sign the establishment agreement required by Article 31 of Law No. 064-2015/CNT. The Burkindé Floorball Association received a three-month suspension for allegedly violating Law No. 050-2019/AN concerning sports and leisure regulation. According to the government, these measures aim to enforce compliance with the country's laws governing associative and non-governmental organisations operating within Burkina Faso.
On 25th June 2025, the Minister of Territorial Administration signed an order suspending the ‘Communauté de Saint Egidio’ for three months. Burkinabe authorities accused this community of ‘collecting personal data on Burkinabe territory and hosting it abroad without prior authorisation.’
Crackdown on civil society
On 18th March 2025 in Ouagadougou, suspected gendarmerie officers abducted Idrissa Barry, Secretary of the group “Servir et non se servir” (SENS) during a meeting at the Saaba municipal office. This arrest followed SENS’ condemnation of a reported massacre of about 130 Fulani civilians in Solenzo on 11th March 2025. SENS issued a statement condemning the arrest and calling on authorities to release him. Four days later, reported state agents abducted four more Sens members after the movement denounced the Solenzo attacks. On 30th March the ANR arrested Romuald Yaro, a prominent civil society member and deputy secretary general of the Patriotic Front, a coalition of political parties and civil society organisations. Yaro’s arrest was reportedly due to his open criticism of the military regime.
Dissolution of the Association des Journalistes du Burkina Faso
On 25th March 2025, in Ouagadougou, the military junta dissolved the Association des Journalistes du Burkina Faso, citing non-compliance with the 2015 law governing associations and declaring the organisation legally non-existent. This decision followed the arrest on 24th March 2025 of the association’s President, Guezouma Sanogo, and Vice President, Boukari Ouoba, who were detained by agents claiming to be from the National Bureau of Investigations after publicly denouncing escalating violations of freedom of expression at a press conference on 21st March.