Burkina Faso’s military leader, Capt. Ibrahim Traore, who led the coup, will serve an additional five years in power once a new charter is signed on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in the country’s capital following public deliberations.
The majority of political parties boycotted the negotiations in Ouagadougou, which were attended by representatives of civil society, the security and defense forces, and legislators in the transitional parliament.
The head of the national dialogue process’ organizing committee, Col. Moussa Diallo, stated in a speech following the discussions that the transition would last 60 months starting on July 2, 2024.
The military has seized control of a number of West African nations, including Burkina Faso, and is accusing the elected governments of breaking their pledges.
About eight months after staging a coup to overthrow democratically elected President Roch Marc Kaboré, the military administration led by Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba was overthrown by the current junta in September 2022.2.
A national assembly made up of army officers, representatives of civil society organizations, and leaders of traditional and religious organizations ratified the constitution that the transitional government has been governing Burkina Faso under. By July 2024, the junta aimed to hold elections and bring democracy back to the nation.
Growing attacks by Islamic State affiliates and al-Qaida-affiliated fanatics have devastated the West African nation.
Thousands have died as a result of the violence, which has also forced over two million people to flee their homes and tens of thousands closer to hunger.
Disappointed after receiving years of military support from the West, the junta cut military links with France, the country’s former colonial master, and turned to Russia for security aid.
The new charter states that Traore will be eligible to run for office after the five-year transition period. The charter does, however, also preserve the option to hold elections prior to the conclusion of the transition phase.
