Military authorities in Burkina Faso have released eight members of an international non-governmental organisation who were arrested and held for several months on accusations of espionage.
Months of Detention and Eventual Release
The Netherlands-based International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) confirmed in a statement on Friday that its personnel were freed at the end of October. The organisation expressed relief, stating, "INSO welcomes the safe release of our colleagues, and appreciates the support that made this possible."
The eight workers, who were detained back in July, included a diverse group: a French national, a French-Senegalese woman, a Czech citizen, a Malian, and four Burkinabe nationals. Their arrests were not made public by Burkina Faso's ruling military junta until early October, months after they were taken into custody.
Background of Accusations and NGO Ban
The incident is part of a broader crackdown on NGO operations in the country. In July, the military rulers, who seized power in a coup in September 2022, revoked the authorisation of 21 NGOs, including INSO. Authorities accused INSO of collecting sensitive security information and passing it to foreign powers. They also alleged the group continued to operate secretly despite the official ban.
INSO, which provides crucial security analysis for other humanitarian agencies working in conflict zones, has firmly rejected these allegations. In its Friday statement, the group reaffirmed its humanitarian purpose: "As a humanitarian organisation, we remain committed to supporting humanitarian organisations delivering aid safely to all those in need."
INSO's Mission and Regional Context
The organisation noted it began working in Burkina Faso in 2019 "following requests to support NGOs there" with the goal of improving safety for humanitarian staff and operations. "We strive to uphold the humanitarian principles everywhere we work," the statement emphasised.
This case occurs within a challenging context for civil society in the Sahel region. Rights groups observe that Burkina Faso's authorities frequently suppress dissent, targeting civil society and media, while justifying such actions as necessary for combating jihadist violence. The country has been gripped by insurgency from armed groups linked to al Qaeda and the Islamic State for nearly a decade.
In a related regional development, neighbouring Niger, also under military rule, withdrew INSO's authorisation to operate on its territory at the end of 2024. This highlights the increasing pressures faced by international humanitarian and safety organisations across several West African nations currently governed by juntas.
