Captain Ibrahim Traore Gets 5 Years Extension as he becomes President
Burkina Faso's military government has announced an extension of junta rule for another five years. Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, the current ruler, will also be eligible to contest in the next presidential election, according to the state broadcaster. Capt. Traoré, who seized power in a coup nearly two years ago, initially pledged to restore civilian government by July 1, 2023. However, Burkina Faso has now followed the example of neighboring Mali in extending military rule. The decision was made public on Saturday following a national consultation meeting in the capital, Ouagadougou. An amended charter, signed by Capt. Traoré, specifies that the new 60-month transition period will commence on July 2, 2023. The charter, as reported by Reuters, allows for the possibility of earlier elections if the security situation improves.
Burkina Faso has been under military control since January 2022, when Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba overthrew President Roch Kaboré. Col. Damiba justified the coup by citing the previous government's failure to curb escalating militant Islamist violence. Since 2015, jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have conducted an insurgency that has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions of displacements.
In September 2022, Capt. Traoré ousted Col. Damiba, claiming the latter was also ineffective against the insurgency. Capt. Traoré initially promised to enhance security within "two to three months" and to restore civilian rule within 21 months. However, he has since emphasized that elections are not a priority until territory is regained from jihadist forces to ensure all citizens can participate in voting.
Under the new charter, traditional party quotas will be abolished, with "patriotism" being the sole criterion for selecting assembly deputies, according to AFP. Political parties were reportedly absent at the beginning of the national consultation meeting.
International organizations, including the European Union and the UN, have accused Burkina Faso of serious human rights abuses in its fight against Islamists, such as indiscriminate killings and forced disappearances of civilians.
IZIZI AFRICA
Captain Ibrahim Traore Gets 5 Years Extension as he becomes President
Burkina Faso's military government has announced an extension of junta rule for another five years. Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, the current ruler, will also be eligible to contest in the next presidential election, according to the state broadcaster. Capt. Traoré, who seized power in a coup nearly two years ago, initially pledged to restore civilian government by July 1, 2023. However, Burkina Faso has now followed the example of neighboring Mali in extending military rule. The decision was made public on Saturday following a national consultation meeting in the capital, Ouagadougou. An amended charter, signed by Capt. Traoré, specifies that the new 60-month transition period will commence on July 2, 2023. The charter, as reported by Reuters, allows for the possibility of earlier elections if the security situation improves.
Burkina Faso has been under military control since January 2022, when Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba overthrew President Roch Kaboré. Col. Damiba justified the coup by citing the previous government's failure to curb escalating militant Islamist violence. Since 2015, jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have conducted an insurgency that has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions of displacements.
In September 2022, Capt. Traoré ousted Col. Damiba, claiming the latter was also ineffective against the insurgency. Capt. Traoré initially promised to enhance security within "two to three months" and to restore civilian rule within 21 months. However, he has since emphasized that elections are not a priority until territory is regained from jihadist forces to ensure all citizens can participate in voting.
Under the new charter, traditional party quotas will be abolished, with "patriotism" being the sole criterion for selecting assembly deputies, according to AFP. Political parties were reportedly absent at the beginning of the national consultation meeting.
International organizations, including the European Union and the UN, have accused Burkina Faso of serious human rights abuses in its fight against Islamists, such as indiscriminate killings and forced disappearances of civilians.
10 months ago | [YT] | 31