Burkina Faso’s military leader, Ibrahim Traoré, has told his people to “forget about democracy,” in an interview broadcast on state television.
Traoré, who seized power in a coup in September 2022 after ousting a former military leader, has since largely suppressed opposition voices. He has made it clear that there can be no talk of elections now, saying that a democratic system is not suitable for the country’s situation.
“We are not even talking about elections in the first place… People should forget about democracy. Democracy is not good for us,” Traoré said.
The military government’s actions have further tightened political repression, with the electoral commission being dissolved last year and the military-led parliament formally dissolving all political parties in February. Parties have been suspended since the 2022 coup.
Burkina Faso, which has been plagued by attacks by jihadist armed groups for nearly a decade, has lost thousands of people in the violence. The insecurity has been blamed on delays in a plan to return to democratic rule, which was originally scheduled to end in July 2024.
However, the military extended the transitional period for another five years, allowing Traoré to remain in power. The United Nations, meanwhile, has called on Burkina Faso to reverse decisions banning political parties and end the crackdown on civil society.
Since taking power, Traoré has also taken steps to restrict international media, closing or suspending some media outlets and expelling foreign journalists.
