AFRICA

Burkina Faso’s Junta Extends Rule By Five Years

Burkina Faso’s ruling junta will remain in power for another five years following national talks on Saturday that proposed extending the transition back to democracy by 60 months from July. This decision was formalised in a new charter approved by participants and signed by military leader Ibrahim Traore.

The military authorities, who seized power in a 2022 coup, had initially promised to hold elections in July this year to restore civilian rule. However, they also emphasised that security considerations would take precedence. According to the new charter, the transition period is now set at 60 months from July 2.

“The elections marking the end of the transition may be organised before this deadline if the security situation so permits,” the charter states, leaving room for an earlier return to civilian rule if conditions improve.

The significant delay is likely to exacerbate concerns about democratic backsliding in West and Central Africa, regions that have witnessed eight coups over the past four years. The extension of the junta’s rule also allows Traore to run for president in the eventual elections.

Violence in West Africa’s Sahel region, driven by a decade-long conflict with Islamist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State, has intensified since the militaries took power in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Burkina Faso, in particular, saw a severe escalation of deadly attacks in 2023, with more than 8,000 people reportedly killed, according to the U.S.-based crisis-monitoring group ACLED.

The continued instability and extended military rule raise significant questions about the future of democracy and security in the region. As the junta focuses on addressing the persistent threats posed by Islamist insurgents, the path back to civilian governance remains uncertain.

Melissa Enoch