politics
Burkina Faso military leader tells citizens to forget democracy
President Ibrahim Traoré told state television that democracy "is not for us" after coming to power in a September 2022 coup; his junta has banned parties, extended its rule to 2029, and faces Human Rights Watch allegations of widespread abuses amid a long-running jihadist insurgency.
Apr 3rd 2026 · Burkina Faso
Insights
- Ibrahim Traoré said on state TV that democracy is "not for us" and that elections are not under discussion.
- Traoré seized power in a coup in September 2022.
- The junta banned political parties in January and extended Traoré's rule to 2029, abandoning a planned 2024 transition.
- A jihadist insurgency since 2014 has killed thousands and displaced about 2.1 million people.
- Human Rights Watch said more than 1,800 civilians were killed since 2023 and accused the military, allied militias and JNIM of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
- The government denied HRW's claims and has banned the group and several international media outlets that reported on the allegations.
Sources
- Forget democracy, Burkina Faso military leader Traore says www.straitstimes.com
- Burkina Faso must 'forget' about democracy, military leader says www.bbc.com
- People of Burkina Faso should forget about democracy, says military ruler www.theguardian.com
- Burkina Faso military leader Traore says ‘forget democracy’ www.aljazeera.com