Burkina Faso military leader Capt. Ibrahim Traoré has urged citizens to abandon expectations of democratic governance, signaling a potential long-term shift away from civilian rule.
Speaking during a televised roundtable with journalists, Traoré said democracy is not suitable for the country’s current situation.
“People need to forget about the issue of democracy,” he said. “We have to tell the truth: democracy is not for us.” He added that “democracy kills,” citing Libya as an example of instability linked to externally influenced governance systems.
Traoré seized power in September 2022 after a coup, initially promising to restore security and return the country to civilian leadership. His administration had earlier committed to holding elections in 2024, but that timeline now appears uncertain.
The military government has since said elections cannot take place until security improves. Burkina Faso has faced more than a decade of violence linked to extremist groups associated with al Qaeda and Islamic State.
Thousands of people have been killed, while millions have been displaced across the Sahel region. Traoré said stabilizing the country remains the administration’s main priority.
In January, authorities dissolved all political parties after suspending political activities for months. Before the coup, Burkina Faso had more than 100 registered political parties, with 15 represented in parliament following the 2020 general election.
Neighbouring Mali and Niger, also under military leadership after coups, have taken similar measures, including dissolving political parties and delaying transitions to civilian rule.
Traoré’s remarks come amid increasing international scrutiny. A report published by Human Rights Watch said Burkina Faso military forces and allied groups have killed more than twice as many civilians as extremist groups since 2023.
The government has not publicly responded to the report’s findings.
Analysts say prolonged military rule, combined with escalating violence and restricted political freedoms, could deepen instability in the country. As Burkina Faso continues to confront insurgency, the timeline for elections remains unclear, raising concerns about its political future.
