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Burkina Faso's military government has arrested eight staff members of a Dutch-based humanitarian organisation, the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO), on accusations of spying and treason. The arrests raise concerns about the operating environment for aid groups in the West African nation.
Burkina Faso's military government announced on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the arrest of eight individuals associated with the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO), a Netherlands-based humanitarian group. Security Minister Mahamadou Sana stated that those detained are accused of "spying and treason," alleging they "collected and passed on sensitive security information that could be detrimental to national security and the interests of Burkina Faso, to foreign powers."
The arrested individuals include three Europeans (two French nationals and one Czech), a Malian, and four Burkinabé citizens. Among them are INSO's country director and deputy. INSO, which provides safety information to aid workers in conflict zones, has "categorically" denied these allegations.
The arrests follow a suspension order issued by Burkinabé authorities against INSO on July 31, 2025, for three months, citing the "collecting sensitive data without authorisation." INSO's country director was initially detained around July 28, 2025, when the organisation's office in Ouagadougou was visited by security services. Subsequently, four national staff members and three international staff members, including the Global Director of Programmes, were also apprehended. The organisation has been operating in Burkina Faso since 2019.
Security Minister Sana further alleged that despite the suspension, some INSO staff continued to "clandestinely or covertly conduct activities such as information collection and meetings in person or online." However, Anthony Neal, an INSO representative, refuted this claim, stating that information collection ceased on July 31, 2025, and staff remained only to address the detentions and fulfil contractual commitments.
INSO maintains that the information it collects is not confidential and is intended solely for the safety and security of humanitarian workers. The organisation asserted that Burkinabé authorities were "fully aware" of its mandate and had previously cooperated with them. Anthony Neal indicated that INSO has attempted to engage with the government to resolve any misunderstandings.
Human rights organisations have expressed concerns regarding the junta's repression in Burkina Faso, including widespread arrests of dissenters and forced military conscription. The country has experienced a surge in jihadist attacks over the past decade, and the military government, which seized power in a September 2022 coup, has increasingly distanced itself from Western nations, including its former colonial power France, while strengthening ties with Russia.
The specific dates of all eight arrests have not been publicly disclosed by Burkinabé authorities. While INSO states its information is non-confidential and for humanitarian safety, the Burkinabé government views it as sensitive security intelligence. This fundamental disagreement forms the core of the controversy.
The international community will be closely watching for further developments regarding the detained INSO staff, including any formal charges or trial proceedings. The incident could influence the operational landscape for other humanitarian organisations in Burkina Faso, potentially leading to increased scrutiny or restrictions. The ongoing dialogue, or lack thereof, between INSO and the Burkinabé authorities will be critical in determining the fate of the arrested individuals and the future of humanitarian work in the country.
