Burkina Faso Junta Extends Rule to 2029 Amid Turmoil and Realigns With Russia
In a dramatic and controversial move, Burkina Faso’s military junta has decided to extend its rule until at least 2029, effectively abandoning the elections initially promised for this year. This decision cements the regime's control over the West African nation amidst a backdrop of violent insurgency and a wave of regional coups.
Interim leader Ibrahim Traoré, a 36-year-old army captain, signed a new charter into law on Saturday evening, which will come into effect on July 2. This charter not only extends the junta's reign but also elevates Traoré to the position of president and "supreme leader" of the armed forces, granting him the eligibility to contest in future elections, whenever they may be held.
The new charter, developed after extensive consultations with lawmakers, security forces, and various religious and civil society groups that largely support the military regime, significantly consolidates the power of the ruling Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (PMSR) junta. The PMSR has been at the helm of Burkina Faso since 2022, following a coup that ousted the civilian government of President Roch Kaboré in January of that year. The coup was initially led by Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who was subsequently overthrown by Traoré just eight months later in another coup, reflecting the turbulent and unstable political environment.
In a symbolic gesture highlighting the shifting geopolitical alliances, Traoré has been depicted shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This imagery underscores the junta's pivot away from traditional Western security partners such as France and the United States, in favor of forging closer ties with Russia. This realignment is part of a broader trend observed in the Sahel region, where nations like Mali and Niger have also experienced military coups and have gravitated towards Russian support amidst ongoing Islamist insurgencies.
The Sahel, a semi-arid strip south of the Sahara, has been a hotbed of violence for over a decade, with Islamist groups affiliated with ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other insurgent factions launching relentless attacks. This persistent instability has displaced about 10% of Burkina Faso's 22.7 million population, leaving the government in control of only approximately 40% of the country's territory. The humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by the inability to maintain security and order, with many areas falling under the control of insurgents.
Traoré has justified the junta's extended rule by citing the need to stabilize the country before any elections can be held. Despite initially promising to organize elections by July 2024 when the junta first seized power, Traoré has now made it clear that no such plans will be pursued until there is a significant improvement in the security situation. The new charter does, however, leave open the possibility of holding elections before the end of the new five-year transitional period, although this remains uncertain.
The prolonged transition period is a significant setback for the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has been actively working to restore democratic rule across its member states. Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, has signaled a potential withdrawal from ECOWAS, further complicating the bloc's mission. These nations, all currently under military rule, reflect a broader disillusionment with democratic processes fueled by security challenges and economic turmoil.
Mali, which has been under military control since a coup in 2020, recently proposed delaying its transition to civilian rule by another three years, indicating a trend towards prolonged military governance in the region. This trend highlights the increasing prevalence of military takeovers in West and Central Africa, driven by dissatisfaction with democratic governance in the face of escalating violence and economic difficulties.
Burkina Faso's current trajectory underscores the complex and often volatile nature of politics in the region. The country has become a focal point for violence and instability, and the junta's decision to extend its rule is likely to have far-reaching implications for its future and the broader regional dynamics. As Burkina Faso navigates these tumultuous waters, the international community watches closely, aware that the outcomes here could influence the broader patterns of governance and stability in West Africa.