Burkina Faso’s Government Detains Eight NGO Workers, Accuses Them of Spying and Sharing Sensitive Security Information

Burkina Faso’s military government has arrested eight individuals affiliated with the Dutch-based International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO), accusing them of espionage and treason. The detainees include three Europeans, a Malian, and four Burkinabé, among them the NGO’s country director and deputy.

Authorities allege that INSO, which provides safety information to humanitarian workers, collected and shared sensitive security data with foreign powers—claims the organisation firmly denies. INSO says its operations were suspended on 31 July, in line with a government directive, and that its presence in the country since then has been limited to administrative matters and addressing staff detentions.

The arrests come amid Burkina Faso’s increasingly strained relationship with Western nations. Since a 2022 military coup, the junta led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré has cut ties with former colonial power France and aligned more closely with Russia. Human rights groups have accused the military of cracking down on civil liberties and suppressing dissent under the guise of national security.

INSO insists its data collection was transparent, non-sensitive, and aimed solely at protecting aid workers in a country ravaged by Islamist insurgency. The organisation says it is actively working for the safe release of its staff and hopes for constructive dialogue with Burkinabé authorities.