Burkina Faso extends military rule for five years

Burkina Faso’s military junta has announced it will extend its rule for another five years.

The country’s ruler, Captain Ibrahim Traore, could also run in the next presidential election, according to state broadcaster.

When he seized power in a coup nearly two years ago, Captain Traore vowed to restore a civilian government by July 1 of this year.

But Burkina Faso has now joined neighboring Mali in expanding military rule.

The extension was announced on Saturday after a national consultation meeting in the West African capital, Ouagadougou.

The revised charter signed by Captain Traore states that a new 60-month transitional period will come into effect on July 2nd of this year.

“If the security situation permits, elections marking the end of the transitional period may be held prior to this deadline,” Reuters reported, citing the charter.

Burkina Faso has been ruled by the military since Lt. Col. Paul Henri Damiba seized power from President Roque Kabore in January 2022.

Colonel Damiba justified the coup by saying the previous government had failed to address growing violence from Islamic extremists.

Since 2015, jihadist rebels affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State have waged a fierce insurgency that has killed thousands and displaced millions.

In September 2022, Captain Traoré dismissed Colonel Damiba, claiming that a second coup was necessary because Damiba himself was unable to deal with the rebellion.

Captain Traore promised to improve the country’s dire security situation within “two to three months” and to restore civilian rule within 21 months.

But since making the pledge, Captain Traore has warned that elections are “not a priority” until territory is retaken from jihadists so that everyone can vote.

According to AFP, the new charter will mean that quotas will no longer be used to allocate seats in parliament to members of traditional parties.

Instead, “patriotism” will be the sole criterion for electing lawmakers.

The decision at Saturday’s national consultations was made swiftly, with local media reports saying political parties were absent when the meeting began.

International rights groups, including the European Union and the United Nations, have accused Burkina Faso of committing serious human rights abuses in its fight against Islamists, including the indiscriminate killings and enforced disappearances of dozens of civilians.