Summary
Burkina Faso's military government arrested eight workers from a Dutch nonprofit named INSO, accusing them of spying. The organization denies the claims, stating its workers were focused on humanitarian safety. The arrests highlight tensions between Burkina Faso's government and Western nations as the country strengthens ties with Russia.
Key Facts
- Burkina Faso's military government arrested eight people from a Dutch NGO for alleged spying.
- The arrested individuals include a French man, a French-Senegalese woman, a Czech man, a Malian, and four Burkinabe nationals.
- The arrests followed a suspension of the NGO's activities, alleged for unauthorized data collection.
- Burkina Faso accuses the group of passing sensitive security information to foreign powers.
- INSO, based in the Netherlands, denies the allegations and asserts it only collects information to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers.
- Burkina Faso's government has shifted away from Western alliances since a 2022 coup, favoring closer relations with Russia.
- Together with Mali and Niger, the country has withdrawn from certain international organizations and formed the Alliance of Sahel States.
- Militants linked to al-Qaeda have been fighting the military governments in these countries.
