Burkina Faso’s ruling military junta has announced plans to dissolve all political parties, further consolidating its grip on power since seizing control in 2022.
Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who came to power in a September 2022 coup, replacing a previous junta, has increasingly restricted political freedoms and dissent. While parties were previously banned from holding public gatherings, they were still allowed to operate internally.
In a statement following a cabinet meeting, the presidency said:
“The government believes that the proliferation of political parties has led to abuses, fuelled divisions among citizens, and weakened the social fabric.”
A draft law dissolving all political parties will now be submitted to the Transitional Legislative Assembly, according to Territorial Administration Minister Emile Zerbo. He added that the assets of dissolved parties would be transferred to the state.
The junta framed the move as a step to “preserve national unity, strengthen government coherence, and pave the way for reforms in political governance.”
Traoré’s coup ousted Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who had held power for only nine months. Damiba, who went into exile in Togo, has been repeatedly accused by Burkina Faso’s military rulers of plotting coups and assassination attempts. He was recently extradited back to Burkina Faso.
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