Burkina Faso Hunt

Burkina’s military government says that it has arrested eight members of a Dutch humanitarian organization, accusing them of spying and betrayal.

They are three Europeans, Malian and four Burkinabe – among them the director and deputy of the NGO state. The organization said they had been detained some time ago, but had not been announced before.

Security Minister Mahamadu Sana said that the non -governmental organization “has collected and submitted to sensitive security information, which may be harmful to the national security and interests of Burkina Faso, to the foreign forces.”

The International NGO Safety Organization (INTO), which provides information on the safety of workers, “categorically” denied the allegations.

Anthony Neil, a representative of the NGO, told the BBC Newsday program that its Burkina Faso country director has been detained since July when the organization has been suspended. The seven others were arrested later.

“We continue to work for their safe and immediate release,” he said.

The NGO was stopped on July 31 for three months by the authorities to “collect sensitive data without permission”. Has been working in the country since 2019

On Tuesday, the Security Minister said that despite the ban, members of the organization continue to secretly collect information and hold meetings.

Mr. Neil denied the request, stating that his information collection activities had ceased on July 31, but his employees remain in Burkina Faso to deal with the detention and fulfill their contractual commitments.

The organization’s statement stressed that the information it collects is not confidential and intended for the safety of humanitarian workers.

It adds that Burkinabe’s authorities are “completely aware” about their work and mandate and cooperate with the authorities.

D -Nil said he had tried to commit himself to the government to deal with any misunderstandings or concerns. He said safety information was crucial, as a “record” number of workers who were killed this year around the world.

Burkina Faso’s military government, led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, has taken power in a coup three years ago and has since has been frosty relations with Western nations.

In response to the worsening Islamist rebellion, the junta stopped working with the former colonial power, France and instead turned to Russia for military assistance.

Since then, human rights groups have accused the army of abuses against civilians while dealing with the fighters, and also fell into political disagreement and freedom of expression.