B. Faso junta extends transition term by 5yrs

After extensive national consultations on May 25, Burkina Faso’s military leader has signed a new charter that will allow him to remain in power for another five years. The discussions in Ouagadougou involved various stakeholders including civil society, security forces, and transitional lawmakers, although most political parties chose not to participate.

According to Col. Moussa Diallo, the head of the national dialogue process, the transition period will be fixed at 60 months starting from July 2, 2024. This decision comes as Burkina Faso joins a growing list of West African nations where the military has taken control, citing the failure of elected governments to fulfill their promises.

The current junta, which ousted Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba’s military regime in September 2022, has been governing the country under a constitution approved by a national assembly that included various stakeholders. The junta’s goal is to hold elections to restore democratic leadership by July 2024.

Despite naming Capt. Ibrahim Traore as the transitional president, the junta has been struggling to address Burkina Faso’s ongoing security challenges, which were cited as the reason for the military takeover in 2022. Armed extremist groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State have been causing widespread violence, resulting in deaths, displacement, and food insecurity.

In response to a lack of progress with Western military assistance, the junta has ended military cooperation with France and turned to Russia for support. The new charter allows Traore to run for election at the end of the transition period, while also leaving open the possibility of holding elections earlier.