Burkina Faso’s leader says democracy must be ‘forgotten’

During a press interview broadcast on national television, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the head of Burkina Faso’s ruling junta, asserted that the nation’s people must “forget” democracy.

Captain Traoré’s ascent to power occurred through a military takeover in September 2022, which was the nation’s second such event in a span of just eight months.

The political transition period, initially established after the first putsch in January 2022, was originally scheduled to culminate in elections by July 2024.

“We are not even talking about elections”

However, the current military administration has instituted a new charter that extends its authority for an additional five years beyond July 2024. This provision also enables Captain Traoré to contest the elections tentatively planned at the end of this extended period. This development in African governance has drawn attention from those following continent news.

Further consolidating its power, the military regime disbanded the Independent National Electoral Commission (Céni) in October 2025. This was followed by the dissolution of all political parties in February, whose activities had already been suspended.

“We are not even talking about elections for now… people need to forget the question of democracy; democracy is not for us,” Captain Ibrahim Traoré stated during the interview broadcast on state media outlet RTB. This position is consistent with a statement he made last year, when he plainly said, “We are not in a democracy.”

In a rare media appearance, Captain Traoré was interviewed for over two hours by journalists from both local and foreign outlets, including Italy’s public broadcaster Rai and the British private channel Sky News.

Suspension of Numerous International Media Outlets

Since seizing power, the military government, which holds an antagonistic view of Western countries, especially France, has banned or suspended the operations of numerous international media organizations and expelled several of their journalists. This situation is a significant piece of Africa breaking news for global observers.

On Thursday, Ibrahim Traoré also commented on the case of his predecessor, former Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who came to power through the January 2022 putsch.

Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba faces accusations of orchestrating multiple coup attempts and is also being prosecuted for corruption. He was recently extradited to Ouagadougou by Togo following a request from Burkina Faso.

“A judge has already seen him… he is in the hands of the justice system,” Traoré stated. This internal political turmoil is happening as Burkina Faso continues to battle nearly a decade of violence from jihadist groups, which has led to thousands of deaths.

The Burkinabè army and its auxiliary forces, the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), have been accused by NGOs of killing civilians. Captain Traoré refuted these claims on Thursday, insisting that “there is no proof.” This aspect of African current affairs remains a point of international concern.

The junta leader also clarified that Russia, an ally, provides equipment but stated that “no one is training the Burkinabè army,” adding that “on the ground, it is the Burkinabè soldiers who are fighting.”