NGO bans in Burkina Faso: Power move or sovereignty defence?
Due to alleged data breaches, two foreign associations received three-month suspensions.
Authorities only made the decrees public in early July 2025, despite issuing them in mid-June, according to AFP.
Rather than enhancing civic regulation in the public eye, the enforcement appears to reflect the junta's broader efforts to suppress opposition and consolidate power over civil society.
Under Captain Ibrahim Traoré's direction, the junta claims that the actions will restore national sovereignty.
Authorities argue that foreign organisations undermine domestic efforts to combat terrorist insurgencies.
In addition, armed groups linked to Niger and Mali continue to inflict violence on Burkina Faso.
The government has removed diplomats accused of participating in subversive activities in recent months.
Despite increased military operations and international assistance initiatives, security remains precarious.
Burkina Faso has shut down several foreign media outlets due to their negative coverage.
Furthermore, the government banned Voice of America and BBC/Africa from broadcasting after Human Rights Watch (HRW) published its report.
The HRW published its report on the February 2024 massacres in April 2024, calling on the transitional government of Burkina Faso to look into the army's alleged execution of at least 223 civilians in Nondin and Soro, including 56 children.
The obstruction of international media outlets that disseminated the study severely limited access to HRW's findings on the atrocities in Burkina Faso.
The military government of Burkina Faso, headed by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has not taken any concrete steps to look into or address the killings, media censorship, or activist arrests as of July 2025.
The junta tightened its controls over international organisations and civil society while intensifying its suppression of the opposition.
Advocacy groups criticised the NGOs' closure as politically motivated and lacking legal transparency.
NGOs are regularly suspended without formal legal proceedings or public hearings.
International observers warn of the erosion of the rule of law and democratic values.
Rising displacement rates and significant funding cuts have a significant impact on international humanitarian efforts.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
2 hours ago
- eNCA
Worker in critical condition after US immigration raid on California farm
SACRAMENTO - A farm worker was in critical condition on Friday, his family said, after being injured during a raid by US immigration agents on a legal cannabis farm in California that resulted in the arrests of 200 undocumented migrants and clashes with protesters. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, called demonstrators involved in attacks on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents "slimeballs" and said they should be arrested. In another development, a district judge ordered a halt to "roving patrols" in Los Angeles by federal agents who were detaining suspected undocumented migrants without probable cause and denying them due process. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong ordered an end to the arrests, which she said were being made "based upon race alone," on whether a person was speaking Spanish or English with an accent or because of their place of work. Trump's remarks and the court order come a day after a chaotic raid on a cannabis plantation in Ventura County some 56 miles (90 kilometers) from Los Angeles left one farm worker critically injured. The United Farm Workers labor union had said in an X post on Friday that the worker had "died of injuries they sustained as a result of yesterday's immigration enforcement action." But the family on a GoFundMe page said he was in critical condition and unlikely to survive. "He was chased by ICE agents, and we were told he fell 30ft (9 meters). My uncle's life is in critical condition; doctors have told us he won't make it. His injuries are catastrophic. His heart is still beating." The Ventura County Medical Center, which told ABC News that he was in critical condition, did not respond to AFP calls for more details. Tricia McLaughlin, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokeswoman, said he was never in custody. "Although he was not being pursued by law enforcement, this individual climbed up to the roof of a green house and fell 30 feet," McLaughlin said. "(Customs and Border Patrol) immediately called a medivac to the scene to get him care as quickly as possible." The DHS said 200 undocumented migrants were arrested during raids on marijuana growing sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo on Thursday and 10 children were rescued "from potential exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking." Glass House Brands, which owns the farms, said in a statement that it has "never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors." AFP | BLAKE FAGAN DHS said more than 500 "rioters" had attempted to disrupt the operation and four US citizens are facing charges for assaulting or resisting officers. Tear gas was used against the protesters, some of whom were seen in television footage throwing projectiles at law enforcement vehicles. The department said immigration agency vehicles were damaged and a $50,000 reward was being offered for the arrest of an individual who allegedly fired a gun at law enforcement officers. - Showdown - AFP | BLAKE FAGAN In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he had watched footage of "thugs" throwing rocks and bricks at ICE vehicles, causing "tremendous damage." Trump said he was authorizing law enforcement officers who are "on the receiving end of thrown rocks, bricks, or any other form of assault, to stop their car, and arrest these SLIMEBALLS, using whatever means is necessary to do so." "I am giving Total Authorization for ICE to protect itself, just like they protect the Public," he said. Trump, who campaigned on a pledge to deport millions of migrants, has been involved in a showdown over immigration enforcement with Democratic-ruled California for weeks. The Republican president sent thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles last month to quell protests against roundups of undocumented migrants by federal agents. California Governor Gavin Newsom has said the troops were not necessary to address the mostly peaceful protests, but his legal efforts to have them removed have failed so far. The cannabis farm in Camarillo was calm during a visit by an AFP reporter on Friday as workers waited in line to collect their belongings and paychecks. AFP | Patrick T. Fallon "We've been here since six this morning asking questions but they're not giving us any information," said Saul Munoz, a 43-year-old Colombian whose son was detained on Thursday. "I just want to know how he's doing," Munoz said. "Bring him back to me and if it's time for us to leave, we'll leave. "The truth is the American dream is no longer really the American dream."
The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
'Timing is inappropriate': Mogotsi on Mkhwanazi's claims
Businessman Brown Mogotsi rejected explosive claims by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, calling the allegations poorly timed and baseless. Speaking exclusively to SABC News , Mogotsi, whom Police Minister Senzo Mchunu described as a 'comrade', dismissed any wrongdoing. Mogotsi criticised Mkhwanazi's press briefing and said, 'The timing is very inappropriate.' He said, 'I sent him a message last year, but only after the arrest of five generals and some brigadiers did he call a press conference.' Mogotsi said he was not a police officer and added cryptically, 'With my underground experience or underground operations. I'll be able to share on the right platform who Brown Mogotsi is.' Mkhwanazi had named Mogotsi as being central to alleged political interference and the controversial disbandment of the KZN Political Killings Task Team. The police commissioner also accused Minister Mchunu of unauthorised interference and maintaining links with criminal syndicates. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
7 hours ago
- IOL News
Trump's 30% tariff on South African imports: A politically motivated move?
Donald Trump slammed SA with a tariff hike Image: Jim Watson / AFP US President Donald Trump's plan to impose a 30% tariff on South African imports is drawing sharp criticism from economists, many of whom argue the move is politically motivated rather than based on real trade imbalances. Economist Dawie Roodt believes the United States' planned 30% tariff on South African goods is being driven more by geopolitical tensions than trade data — and warns that the move could signal deeper diplomatic shifts. "This is, without a doubt in my view, driven primarily by politics — not economics," said Roodt. "South Africa is economically irrelevant to the U.S., but we play a much bigger role internationally, especially in terms of our support for certain organisations and countries the Americans don't like." Roodt's comments follow a formal letter sent by Trump to President Cyril Ramaphosa, informing him of the impending tariff, which is set to take effect on 1 August 2025. In the letter, Trump criticised South Africa's 'persistent trade deficits' and suggested that the tariff could be adjusted — up or down — depending on the country's willingness to change its trade practices and political stance. Roodt, however, argued that the logic behind the tariff doesn't hold up under economic scrutiny. 'All the economic calculations behind this are wrong. This is Trump trying to pressure South Africa to change its international political stance. Of course, there are also local factors — like the land expropriation issue — but the bigger picture here is clearly political.' While the broader economy may not feel the immediate effects, Roodt warns that the agriculture and motor industries will be hit hardest. 'For an economy that's already in ICU, this is certainly not good news,' he said. President Ramaphosa has acknowledged receipt of Trump's letter and reiterated South Africa's commitment to ongoing negotiations. The Presidency also challenged the U.S. interpretation of trade data, noting that 77% of U.S. goods enter South Africa duty-free, while the average tariff on imports stands at 7.6%. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ As both governments prepare for further talks, Roodt said the focus should remain on diversifying trade partners — though he warns this won't be easy. 'Everyone's now chasing the same markets. Diversification takes time, but it's more important than ever,' he said. Economist Ulrich Joubert agreed, explaining that the proposed 30% U.S. tariff on South African imports is significant, especially given that the United States is South Africa's second-largest export market, accounting for $8.21 billion or 8.2% of total exports in 2024. While South Africa has a $1.23 billion trade surplus with the U.S., Joubert argued this is insignificant in the context of America's global trade. He believes the tariff is politically motivated, driven by Trump's push to reduce trade deficits with multiple countries — a goal Joubert said is unrealistic. 'Trump wants balanced trade with every country, which is economically impossible,' Joubert said. 'This move is more about politics than economics.' Joubert stressed the need for market diversification and consistent diplomatic engagement, warning that future investment could suffer if trade uncertainty persists. He also raised concern over AGOA possibly ending soon, which could further hurt key export sectors like agriculture and textiles. He called for ongoing negotiations and strategic diplomacy, stating that uncertainty and rising protectionism pose a growing threat to South Africa's export-led growth. Weekend Argus
