On the continued crackdown on civic space and fundamental freedoms in Burkina Faso

B100319/2026

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

(2026/2767(RSP))

The European Parliament,

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

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

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;

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;

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;

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;

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

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;

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;

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;

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

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

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;

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;

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

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;

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.