Burkina Faso Junta Detains Eight Humanitarians Over Espionage Charges

Dakar, Oct 8 (AP) Burkina Faso's ruling junta has announced the arrest of eight humanitarian workers on charges of espionage.

The junta accuses these individuals of supplying sensitive security details to foreign nations.

These workers were affiliated with the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO), a Netherlands-based entity focused on humanitarian safety.

According to Security Minister Mahamadou Sana, the organisation gathered sensitive military information concerning areas of operation, convoy routes, and deployment numbers in the West African nation.

Among the arrested are two French nationals, including the country director of INSO in Burkina Faso, a Czech national, a Malian, and four Burkinabe citizens.

The specific dates of the arrests were not disclosed by the minister.

INSO defended its actions in a statement, asserting that its information collection is aimed at monitoring safety trends and ensuring the safety of aid workers on the ground.

The organisation emphasized that the information it gathers is not confidential and is generally accessible to the public.

INSO has expressed its full cooperation with the authorities in their investigation and is actively seeking the release of its detained employees.

Since a 2022 coup, Burkina Faso has been under military rule.

Originally, the coup was justified as a means to stabilize the country amid escalating security issues and to provide improved governance.

Contrarily, there has been an increase in attacks by armed groups, which now control vast regions of the country, particularly outside the capital.

Additionally, rights groups accuse the junta of suppressing human rights, highlighting the widespread arrest and military conscription of dissenters.

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