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Who can speak on behalf of the people? The new frontiers of protest in the Sahel

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 30/09/2026, 03:45:24 UTC.

Briefings

In Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, military juntas claim to represent popular sovereignty while systematically dismantling political parties and civil society organizations. By September 2026, Burkina Faso had dissolved over 1,174 civil society organizations, and Malian authorities suspended political activities in early 2026 despite a May 2025 decree. The juntas use rhetoric of national sovereignty to justify crackdowns, with UN experts warning of the criminalization of political activity. Key events include the August 2026 mutiny in Niger repelled by General Tiani's regime and the June 2026 closure of the UN office in Burkina Faso.

Key points

• By September 2026, Burkina Faso had dissolved over 1,174 civil society organizations, with authorities citing a July 2025 law on freedom of association as the legal basis for the dissolution.
• In Mali, the 2020 military coup led to the dissolution of political parties in May 2025, which was later extended to five-year renewable terms in July 2025 under General Assimi Goïta's administration.

Context and limitations

Data on civil society suspensions and dissolutions is limited to specific dates and regional reports; some organizations may have been dissolved before the initial reporting period.

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