What changed

B100322/2026

B100319/2026

European Parliament resolution on the continued crackdown on civic space and fundamental freedoms in Burkina Faso

(2026/2767(RSP))

– having regard to itsRule previous150 resolutions(5) onof theits Sahel,Rules of Procedure,

having regard to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,

A. whereas in January 2026, Burkina Faso’s military government formally dissolved all political parties;

having regard to Rule 150 (5) of its Rules of Procedure,

B. whereas Burkina Faso’s junta has imposed several measures to repress civic and political space; whereas civil society organisations face growing repression and journalists and opposition figures are subjected to intimidation, arbitrary arrests and forced recruitment into state-aligned militias; whereas in April 2026 hundreds of civil society organisations were dissolved;

whereas Burkina Faso has been governed by a military junta since the coup d'état of September 2022 led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré;

C. whereas armed Islamist and Jihadist groups perpetuate attacks against civilians all over the country and target not only state institutions but also schools, churches, religious actors and entire villages; whereas counter operations have led to expanding violence and widespread impunity; whereas Burkina Faso ranks second on the 2026 Global Terrorism Index;

whereas the security situation in Burkina Faso continues to deteriorate as jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State expand their operations across the Sahel, including through cross-border insurgent activity originating from neighbouring Mali;

D. whereas international criminal gangs have exploited the lawlessness and instability in Burkina Faso to build flourishing drug and human trafficking networks, using increasingly sophisticated technologies;

whereas in recent months the military authorities have dissolved more than 100 associations and civil society organisations, further shrinking civic space and restricting the freedoms of association, expression and assembly;

E. whereas the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) exacerbates immigration challenges, escalates security risks, and weakens the ability of stronger, coastal ECOWAS states to respond to the Sahel crisis;

whereas the transitional authorities have dissolved political parties and suspended political activities, while President Traoré has publicly stated that Burkinabè citizens should “forget” democracy;

Is worried about the systematic crackdown on civic space and dissent, characterised by increasing restrictions and attacks against real or perceived critical voices;

whereas journalists, civil society representatives, human rights defenders and perceived critics of the regime have reportedly been subjected to intimidation, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and forced recruitment;

Is deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Burkina Faso and the growing operational reach and mobility of armed Islamist groups across the country;

whereas Human Rights Watch and other organisations have documented grave violations committed by government forces and allied militias against Fulani civilians, including killings and forced displacement, which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity;

Considers that the main structural cause for the persistence of Burkina Faso’s crisis is the perception of state institutions as absent, inefficient and as vehicles for self-enrichment;

whereas the military authorities have strengthened political, economic and security cooperation with Russia while reducing cooperation with traditional international partners; whereas Burkina Faso is one of the Sahel states where Russia's Africa Corps operates in; whereas many Africa Corps personnel are former Wagner fighters, and the group is widely seen as Wagner's successor operating under tighter Kremlin control;

Considers that the immediate priority for Burkina Faso’s leaders is to address Islamist terrorism; emphasises the need to build strong institutions to improve public sector efficiency and combat corruption;

whereas Burkina Faso together with Niger and Mali formally withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2025 and formed the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS);

Calls on Burkina Faso’s authorities to stop threatening political opponents, civil society and journalists;

whereas continued instability in Burkina Faso risks further destabilising the wider Sahel region and undermining regional efforts to restore security, constitutional order and economic development;

Is deeply concerned that the expansion of the drug economy and regional smuggling industry is fuelling and expanding the conflict;

Strongly condemns the continued crackdown on civic space, political freedoms and fundamental rights in Burkina Faso;

Calls on the EU to support normalised relations between Burkina Faso’s junta and ECOWAS and to give targeted support for Gulf of Guinea states to help contain the crisis on their borders;

Expresses grave concern over the dissolution of political parties and the public rejection of democratic governance by the country's military leadership;

Calls on EU to engage pragmatically with the military authorities in Burkina Faso and to start talks, either directly or indirectly through the coastal Gulf of Guinea states, about migration management, security and counter-terrorism;

Condemns the ongoing jihadist insurgency affecting Burkina Faso and the wider Sahel, including terrorist activities originating from and operating across the border with Mali;

Calls on EU to support via quiet diplomacy positive changes in civil society rights, accountability, and anti-corruption measures;

Expresses concern over the growing influence of Russia in Burkina Faso's security and political affairs that contributes to democratic backsliding, reduced transparency and human rights abuses; highlights that Russian paramilitary actors operating in the Sahel have been implicated in serious human rights violations;

Gives its support to the “Task Force”, established by the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council, to support Sahelian countries in addressing security, socio-economic and humanitarian challenges;

Calls on the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States to closely monitor the human rights situation in Burkina Faso, support independent civil society and humanitarian actors, and coordinate with African partners to address the interconnected challenges of terrorism, governance and regional instability;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European external Action Service, the Member States, Burkina Faso’s military authorities, the AU and ECOWAS.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the HR/VP, the authorities of Burkina Faso and the African Union.