Burkina Faso's Military Regime Extends Rule for Five More Years
Following national consultations, Burkina Faso's military regime has decided to extend its rule for an additional five years as announced by Colonel Moussa Diallo, the chairman of the talks, on state television.
Burkina Faso's military regime has decided to extend its rule for another five years. This decision was made during national consultations on Saturday, as announced by Colonel Moussa Diallo, the chairman of the talks, on state television.
According to Diallo, the extension will officially begin on July 2 and will last for a period of five years. At the end of this extension, coup leader and acting president Captain Ibrahim Traore will be given the opportunity to participate in any upcoming elections.
A video of Traore signing the amended accord in front of a cheerful crowd was broadcast on Burkinabè state TV on Saturday.
Burkina Faso is an epicenter of violence carried out by Islamist militants linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
Burkina Faso is an epicenter of violence carried out by Islamist militants linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
Sophie Garcia/AP
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The former ruling majority did not participate in the talks, as reported by the government press agency Agence d’Information du Burkina (AIB). Most political party activities have been put on hold in the country during the military rule.
Burkina Faso, which has been suffering from ongoing jihadist violence leading to the loss of thousands of lives over the past decade, experienced two military coups in 2022.
The first one in January brought Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba to power, before being himself overthrown in September of the same year by Captain Traoré.
Editor's P/S:
The extension of military rule in Burkina Faso for another five years raises concerns about the country's political future. While the regime claims the move is necessary to address security challenges, it effectively undermines democratic principles and the rule of law. The lack of participation by the former ruling majority in the national consultations further casts doubt on the legitimacy of the decision.
Burkina Faso has faced significant challenges from Islamist militants in recent years, with thousands of lives lost due to violence. The military has been at the forefront of the fight against these groups, but it remains to be seen whether extending their rule will effectively address the root causes of the conflict. The international community should closely monitor the situation in Burkina Faso and support efforts to promote a peaceful and democratic transition of power.
