Eight Arrested Including French and Czech Nationals; Burkina Faso Claims INSO Was ‘Working Secretly’

International Desk | PNN

The military government of Burkina Faso in West Africa has arrested eight individuals identified as workers of the humanitarian organization International NGO Safety Organization (INSO). The military authorities have accused them of “espionage and treason.”

Burkina Faso’s Security Minister Mahamadu Sana stated that among the detainees are one French male, one French-Senegalese female, one Czech male, one Malian national, and four Burkina Faso citizens. He alleged that despite being barred for three months, these workers continued their activities and collected sensitive information without permission.

The minister added, “Some INSO staff were secretly gathering information online and holding meetings that could compromise national security and Burkina Faso’s interests, potentially passing sensitive data to foreign powers.”

INSO, based in The Hague, issued a statement on Tuesday strongly denying the allegations. They said, “We will continue to make every effort to ensure the safe release of all our colleagues.” INSO also clarified that the information they collect is solely intended to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers and that much of the data is not secret and is already largely available to the public.

Since seizing power in September 2022, Burkina Faso’s military government has distanced itself from Western countries, particularly its former colonial power France. In recent months, together with Mali and Niger, they have moved away from regional and international organizations and formed their own coalition of Sahel states.

All three countries have reduced defense cooperation with Western powers and are building closer ties with Russia. The military governments are engaged in combat against armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and addressing regional security challenges. According to human rights organization Human Rights Watch, potential abuses are occurring in these conflict zones.