Burkina Faso Delays Return to Civilian Rule, Extends Military Leadership Until 2029

Burkina Faso’s military leadership will continue to govern the nation for another five years, following a consensus reached during national discussions to push back the transition to democratic rule. 

The decision to extend the transitional period by 60 months, starting from July 2024, was confirmed by Colonel Moussa Diallo, head of the national dialogue’s organizing committee. 

“The duration of the transition is fixed at 60 months from July 2, 2024,” stated Colonel Diallo, noting the extension as a new charter was established during the dialogue that commenced this Saturday.

The new charter was signed during a national dialogue that began on Saturday, May 25th.

The dialogue sought to outline the path to civilian governance amid ongoing political unrest. 

Since January 2022, Burkina Faso has been under military rule following Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba’s seizure of power from President Roch Kabore, citing the government’s failure to address rising militant Islamist violence.

In September 2022, Captain Ibrahim Traore ousted Colonel Damiba, arguing that another coup was necessary due to Damiba’s inability to tackle the insurgency. 

Since its takeover, the government has severed military ties with France and sought support from Russia, while presently lacking control over approximately half of the country’s territory.

Captain Traore pledged to ease the country’s dire security situation within “two to three months” and vowed to reinstate civilian governance within 21 months.

However, the military now pointed out that security concerns would be prioritized.

The newly signed charter by Traore’s military indicates that “the elections marking the end of the transition may be organized before this deadline if the security situation so permits.”

The charter also allows Traore to run for president.

The new charter removes the use of quotas for assigning seats in the assembly from traditional political parties. Instead, selection for deputies will now be based solely on “patriotism.”

The dialogue, which saw the participation of civil society representatives, security and defense forces, and transitional assembly legislators, took place in Ouagadougou. It also faced boycotts from several political groups. 

The prolonged military rule is anticipated to escalate concerns over democratic regression in the Western and Central African regions, which have witnessed multiple coups in recent years.