Burkina Faso Junta Detains NGO Staff Over ‘Spying’ Claims
Tensions are rising in Burkina Faso after the military government detained eight members of a Dutch-based humanitarian organisation, accusing them of “spying and treason.”
Among those arrested are three Europeans, a Malian, and four Burkinabé, including the NGO’s country director and deputy. While the organisation confirmed the detentions had occurred, the matter was only recently made public.
Security Minister Mahamadou Sana told local media that the NGO had “collected and passed on sensitive security information that could be detrimental to national security and the interests of Burkina Faso, to foreign powers.”
The International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO), which provides guidance and safety information to aid workers, has “categorically” rejected the accusations.
Anthony Neal, a representative of the NGO, told, “We continue to work towards their safe and immediate release.”
He added that the Burkina Faso country director had been detained since July, shortly after the organisation was suspended, with the remaining seven staff arrested later.
Burkina Faso’s military gov’t arrests European NGO workers for ‘spying’.
Dutch humanitarian organisation INSO rejected the allegations and called for the release of its eight staff members.
Burkina Faso’s military government says it has arrested eight people working for a… pic.twitter.com/OhTYmt6Nk7
— Rukiga F.M (@rukigafm) October 8, 2025
The suspension, which took effect on 31 July for three months, was issued for “collecting sensitive data without authorisation.” The NGO has been operating in Burkina Faso since 2019.
Despite the ban, Mr Sana claimed the group had secretly continued gathering information and holding meetings.
Mr Neal countered this, saying all information-collection activities ceased on 31 July, with staff remaining in-country only to manage the detention situation and meet contractual obligations.
A statement from the NGO stressed that the data they collect is not confidential and exists solely to protect humanitarian workers.
It further highlighted that Burkinabé authorities were “fully aware” of their operations and had cooperated previously.
Mr Neal emphasised the importance of safety information, noting a “record” number of aid workers have died globally this year.
He said he’d tried to engage with the government to resolve misconceptions and relieve enterprises.
Burkina Faso’s military government, led by Capt Ibrahim Traore, seized power in a 2022 coup. Relations with Western nations have been strained for a long time.
Following a rise in Islamist insurrection, the galère ended its military collaboration with France, instead seeking support from Russia.
Mortal rights organisations have indicted the service of mercenary abuses during anti-insurgency operations, alongside cracking down on political dissent and freedom of expression.
The apprehensions gesture an ongoing climate of distrust between philanthropic actors and the Burkinabé authorities, raising concerns for aid operations in a country formerly struggled with conflict and insecurity.
