Burkina Faso Leader Tells Nation to “Forget” Democracy as Military Rule Deepens

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — In a striking departure from earlier commitments to return the country to civilian governance, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the military chief who has ruled Burkina Faso since a 2022 coup, declared on April 2 that Burkinabe people must “forget about democracy” as the West African nation remains under junta control. Traoré’s comments, broadcast on state television, mark one of the most explicit rejections yet of democratic transition in a country already mired in insecurity, political upheaval and human rights concerns.

Speaking during a lengthy televised interview, Traoré dismissed discussions of elections as irrelevant under current conditions, saying the country’s priorities lie elsewhere. “People need to forget about the issue of democracy. Democracy isn’t for us,” he told journalists. He reiterated that holding elections was not a current priority, and he suggested that models of Western-style democracy were inappropriate in Burkina Faso’s context, even asserting that “democracy kills,” a phrase he used to justify the junta’s continued rule. In making his case, Traoré invoked Libya as a regional example where attempts by external actors to impose democratic systems resulted in instability.

Traoré’s remarks represent a stark reversal of earlier public commitments by the military government. Following his takeover in September 2022, Traoré pledged that Burkina Faso would return to democratic rule, initially targeting elections by 2024. However, in 2024 the junta extended the transition period by five years, pushing the next possible elections out to at least 2029 and consolidating military power.

This trajectory has unfolded against a backdrop of profound national instability. Burkina Faso has struggled with a decade-long jihadist insurgency linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions. The government’s inability to contain these armed groups has been at the centre of its argument for postponing elections and tightening control. Security concerns have frequently been cited by Traoré and his allies as justification for extending military rule and suppressing political competition.

In recent months the junta has further dismantled democratic structures. In January 2026, Burkina Faso’s transitional authorities dissolved all political parties, formally outlawing organisations that had already seen their activities curtailed since the 2022 coup. Before these developments, the country boasted more than 100 registered political parties, with 15 represented in parliament following the 2020 general election. The dissolution of parties effectively eliminates formal avenues for political opposition and civil political engagement.

The junta has also taken control of electoral infrastructure. In mid-2025, authorities scrapped the independent electoral commission, placing future electoral processes under direct military oversight. That move entrenched government influence over any potential vote and further eroded prospects for a genuine democratic transition.

Traoré’s rejection of democratic governance has drawn broad concern from regional and international actors. The United Nations has urged Burkina Faso to reverse its ban on political parties and to end its crackdown on civic space, warning that such measures undermine fundamental rights and weaken the conditions necessary for inclusive and peaceful governance. The UN’s top human rights official publicly called on the junta to halt repression and restore basic freedoms earlier this year.

Human rights groups have also sounded alarms about the conduct of the military government. A report issued in early April by Human Rights Watch and independent conflict monitors indicated that Burkina Faso’s security forces and allied militias have been responsible for more civilian deaths than jihadist groups between 2023 and 2025. The data shows that more than 1,200 civilians were killed by government-aligned forces, raising serious questions about military operations, accountability and civilian protection.

Those findings underline broader concerns about the effects of prolonged conflict and militarisation on civil liberties and democratic norms in Burkina Faso. Civil society activists and independent media within the country have faced increasing pressure, including restrictions on reporting, censorship and the expulsion of foreign journalists. Dissenting voices have warned that the junta’s tightening grip risks deepening social divisions and undermining prospects for reconciliation.

Inside Burkina Faso, the reaction to Traoré’s stance is likely to be mixed. Some segments of the population, fatigued by insecurity and distrustful of traditional political elites, may accept strong military leadership as a necessary response to persistent threats. Others, including civil society groups, legal professionals and former political figures, have expressed alarm at the erosion of democratic space and the hardening authoritarian posture. The dissolution of political parties and the postponement of elections have effectively sidelined organized political opposition at a critical moment in the nation’s history.

Regional dynamics also frame this shift. Burkina Faso is not alone in West Africa in experiencing military takeovers and extended transitional periods. Neighbouring Mali and Niger have similarly seen coups in recent years, with military leaders consolidating power, dissolving political parties and delaying elections under the banner of security and stability. These trends have raised concern among West African states and continental bodies, even as regional tensions persist.

Traoré’s rhetoric reflects a broader scepticism toward Western influence and democracy that has characterised his government’s public posture. The junta has positioned itself as rejecting what it describes as external interference and has articulated a vision of governance rooted in national sovereignty and security imperatives. Yet critics argue that sidelining democratic processes and concentrating power within the military will further erode citizens’ rights and diminish accountability.

As Burkina Faso enters what may be a prolonged period of military governance, the implications for the region’s political landscape and for the millions of Burkinabe grappling with displacement, insecurity and limited political freedoms remain deeply uncertain. Traoré’s declaration that democracy should be “forgotten” signals not only a pivotal moment for Burkina Faso but also highlights ongoing challenges confronting civilian rule in parts of West Africa facing persistent conflict and institutional fragility.

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