Burkina Faso’s Military Junta Dissolves All Political Parties Amid Claims of Division and Dysfunction
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso — In a significant escalation of military control, Burkina Faso’s junta has formally dissolved all political parties in the country and repealed the laws that governed their operations. The decree, approved by the government on January 29, 2026, marks a further consolidation of power under Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who has led the nation since seizing control in a 2022 coup.
The decision was announced following a cabinet meeting and communicated through official channels, including statements from Interior Minister Emile Zerbo. According to the minister, the multiparty system had led to widespread “abuses” and “dysfunction,” promoting divisions among citizens and weakening the social fabric. The junta framed the move as essential for “rebuilding the state” and fostering national unity, particularly in the context of ongoing jihadist insurgencies that have plagued the Sahel region for years.
Under the decree, all political parties and formations—previously numbering over 100, with around 15 represented in the transitional parliament—are now disbanded. Their assets are to be transferred to the state. Political activities had already been severely restricted since the 2022 coup, including bans on public gatherings and events, but parties could still function internally to some extent. This new measure eliminates any remaining legal existence for organized political opposition.
The junta has indicated that a draft law will soon be submitted to the Transitional Legislative Assembly to regulate any future political organizations or activities. However, no specific timeline has been provided for elections or a return to civilian rule. The military government has previously extended its transitional period and delayed democratic processes, citing security priorities over electoral timelines.
Captain Traoré, who ousted an earlier junta leader in September 2022, has positioned his administration as focused on sovereignty, anti-corruption, and combating Islamist militants affiliated with groups like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Supporters view the dissolution as a bold step toward eliminating divisive politics during a time of crisis, with some framing it as part of broader efforts to prioritize national security and development over partisan competition.
Critics, including human rights activists, opposition figures in exile, and international observers, see the move as a clear step toward authoritarianism. They argue it suppresses dissent, eliminates checks on power, and further erodes prospects for democratic governance in Burkina Faso. The action fits a pattern of restrictions on civic freedoms, media, and civil society since the coup, raising concerns about the long-term stability and political future of the West African nation.
Burkina Faso’s situation is part of a regional trend in the Sahel, where military-led governments in Mali and Niger have similarly prioritized security and sovereignty, often at the expense of traditional democratic institutions. The dissolution has drawn attention from regional bodies like ECOWAS and international partners, though responses have so far been limited amid the complex security dynamics in the region.
As Burkina Faso continues to grapple with violence that has displaced millions and claimed thousands of lives, the junta’s latest decree underscores the deepening military grip on power and the uncertain path ahead for multiparty democracy in the country.
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