Burkina Faso’s military ruler, Ibrahim Traoré, has said citizens should “forget” about democracy for now, as the country continues under military rule following successive coups.
Speaking in an interview with state broadcaster RTB, Traoré stated that elections were not a current priority, insisting that democratic governance was not suitable under the prevailing conditions.
“We’re not even talking about elections, first of all… People need to forget about the issue of democracy. Democracy isn’t for us,” he said.
Traoré seized power in September 2022 after overthrowing a previous junta, and has since tightened control over political activities and dissent.
The military government had earlier dissolved the electoral commission and, in February, disbanded all political parties, whose activities had already been suspended since 2022.
The country’s transition to civilian rule, initially expected to end in July 2024, was extended by five years by the junta, allowing Traoré to remain in power amid ongoing security challenges.
Burkina Faso has faced nearly a decade of jihadist violence, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread instability.
The United Nations has called on the authorities to reverse the ban on political parties and halt restrictions on civic space.
Since assuming power, the junta has also taken a hardline stance against Western influence, particularly France, banning or suspending several international media outlets and expelling some foreign journalists.
