Burkina Faso’s military authorities have announced the arrest of eight staff members of a European humanitarian organisation, accusing them of espionage and treason. The Dutch-based International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO), which focuses on supporting aid workers in high-risk regions, has strongly denied the allegations and demanded the immediate release of its employees.
According to a statement from Security Minister Mahamadou Sana, the detainees include nationals from France, the Czech Republic, Senegal, Mali, and Burkina Faso. The government claims the group continued to operate secretly after INSO was suspended earlier this year for allegedly “collecting sensitive information without official authorization.”
Sana accused the NGO workers of engaging in “covert information gathering and online meetings” even after the suspension, suggesting the data collected could “threaten national security and the interests of Burkina Faso.”
However, INSO rejected the accusations as “baseless,” saying its work is entirely humanitarian and aimed at enhancing safety for aid workers in conflict zones. In a statement issued from The Hague, the organisation insisted that it only gathers publicly available information to assess risks for humanitarian operations.
“We categorically deny any involvement in espionage or political activity. INSO’s mission is to protect humanitarians, not to interfere in the internal affairs of any country,” the organisation said.
Growing Rift Between Burkina Faso and the West
The arrests come amid worsening relations between Burkina Faso’s military-led government and Western nations, particularly France, its former colonial power. Since seizing power in 2022, President Ibrahim Traoré has pursued a policy of regional solidarity with Mali and Niger, both of which are also ruled by military regimes.
The three countries recently withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), forming a new alliance known as the “Alliance of Sahel States.” The bloc has since shifted toward stronger security and economic cooperation with Russia, while reducing Western military presence in the region.
Analysts say the latest incident reflects deep mistrust between Sahelian governments and foreign NGOs, which authorities often accuse of “interference” or “intelligence gathering” under humanitarian cover.
Rising Insecurity and Humanitarian Strain
Burkina Faso remains one of the most volatile countries in West Africa, with armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL controlling large swaths of territory. The conflict has displaced more than 2 million people and left millions in urgent need of food and medical assistance.
While the government insists the arrests are necessary to protect national sovereignty, human rights organisations have expressed concern that the crackdown could further limit the humanitarian space in a country already facing one of the world’s fastest-growing displacement crises.
As investigations continue, INSO says it is working closely with diplomatic partners to secure the safe release of its detained staff.