Two years after Burkina Faso’s military takeover, the transition regime shows no sign of restoring constitutional order. Despite initial promises, authorities have systematically suppressed civic space and democratic freedoms, silencing dissent and violating fundamental rights. The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) condemns these alarming trends and urges the immediate restoration of the rule of law.
Nairobi, Dakar, Paris — Since the September 30, 2022 coup, Burkina Faso’s military-led authorities have escalated repression against critics of human rights abuses. Journalists, activists, and opposition figures face daily threats: arbitrary arrests, abductions, forced conscription, and violent crackdowns on their families. Online propaganda stoked by regime-aligned groups fuels this climate of fear.
The FIDH demands an end to these abuses, the unconditional release of detained individuals, and adherence to Burkina Faso’s domestic and international human rights obligations.
«Stifling civil society and silencing human rights defenders, journalists, and opponents is unacceptable, especially amid a transition touting state reform and better governance», declared Drissa Traoré, FIDH Secretary General. «Civil society must be safeguarded—freedom of expression, opinion, assembly, and press must be fully protected».
Despite claims to prioritize resolving the country’s armed conflict, the FIDH reports a sharp rise in violence against civilians by all parties involved. On August 24, 2024, an attack by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) targeted civilians, security forces, and pro-government militias, leaving dozens dead. The FIDH and the Sahel Peoples Coalition condemned these atrocities.
Forced conscription of activists and judges
Since late 2023, authorities have routinely drafted human rights defenders, journalists, and politicians into the military as retaliation for criticizing abuses. Under the April 2023 «general mobilization decree», at least ten critics—including prominent figures like human rights advocate Daouda Diallo and politician Ablassé Ouédraogo—were forcibly sent to the frontlines.
Judges and prosecutors are also targeted, violating judicial independence. In August 2024, five magistrates—including prosecutors from courts in Ouagadougou, Boromo, Bobo-Dioulasso, and Gaoua—were conscripted after handling cases involving regime allies. «Deploying judges to the front in retaliation for rulings unfavorable to the regime is a blatant violation of Burkina Faso’s Constitution and African human rights treaties», warned Alice Mogwe, FIDH President. «The state is undermining freedoms repeatedly condemned by the UN, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and our organizations».
Crackdown on press freedom
Media outlets are heavily censored, with critical international and local journalists facing harassment, abductions, and forced disappearances. Investigative reporter Atiana Serge Oulon, director of the newspaper L’Événement, was abducted from his home on June 24, 2024; his publication was suspended days earlier. Journalists Kalifara Séré and Adama Bayala, contributors to the suspended BF1 show 7 Infos, were also seized. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights expressed «grave concern» over these attacks on press freedom.
Families of exiled opponents targeted
In September 2024, relatives of former officials—including two family members of ex-Foreign Minister Djibril Bassolé—were violently abducted in Ouagadougou. Regime-aligned activists incited these acts through online calls for violence.
«We urge the African Union and UN to coordinate pressure on Burkina Faso’s authorities to end this violence, release all abducted individuals, and uphold their rights», pleaded Professor Mabassa Fall, FIDH’s AU representative.
