Ouagadougou: Burkina Faso’s journey back to democratic governance faces a significant extension as the ruling junta secures another five years in power, as per the outcome of national discussions on Saturday. The proposed extension, documented in an approved new charter, stretches the transition period from July onward, adding 60 months to the timeline.
Since its ascent to power through a coup in 2022, the military leadership has pledged to facilitate the return to civilian rule, initially scheduling elections for July of the current year. However, the junta emphasized the primacy of security concerns, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the transition process.
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As outlined in the ratified charter, penned by military leader Ibrahim Traore, the transition period is formally set at 60 months starting from July 2. “The elections marking the end of the transition may be organised before this deadline if the security situation so permits,” the document clarifies. Despite this provision, the considerable delay is poised to amplify apprehensions regarding democratic regression in the West and Central African regions, which have witnessed a spate of eight coups within the last four years.
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Moreover, the charter bestows upon Traore the eligibility to contend for the presidency once the elections materialize, further underlining the entrenched influence of the military in the political landscape.
The persistent violence in the Sahel region, exacerbated by a protracted struggle against Islamist factions affiliated with al Qaeda and Islamic State, has intensified following the respective seizures of power in Burkina Faso and neighboring Mali and Niger. Against this backdrop, Burkina Faso encountered a stark surge in lethal attacks in 2023, with reports from the U.S.-based crisis-monitoring group ACLED estimating the toll at over 8,000 fatalities.
