Burkina Faso army extends rule by 5 years

The military rulers of Burkina Faso extended their stay in power for five more years, state-owned broadcaster said.

Current leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré will be able to run for the next presidential elections, the broadcaster said, citing the conclusions of a national dialogue.

Traore took power following a coup two years ago, setting the country on an anti-west track that led to sacking French troops and closer ties with Russia.

Burkina Faso is the second coup-hit Sahel state to extend military rule, following Mali.

Traore said the priority was to fight terrorist groups instead of holding elections. Terrorist activity worsened under-development in the poor country and pushed 2 million people out of their homes.

As Jihadist groups continue to wreak havoc in the wider Sahel, Burkina Faso suffered the most, accounting for almost a quarter of people killed in terrorist attacks globally in 2023, according to Sydney-based Institute for Economics & Peace.

The country’s army seized power in 2022, but more than a third of Burkina Faso is controlled by insurgents.

The international community and human rights groups, including the European Union and UN, have accused Burkina Faso of serious human rights violations in its fight against Islamists, including the indiscriminate killings and forced disappearances of dozens of civilians.