MILITARY AUTHORITIES IN BURKINA FASO EXTENDS RULE FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEARS

Mon 27 May 2024:

Burkina Faso’s ruling junta will remain in power for an additional five years, following a proposal during national talks on Saturday to extend the transition back to democracy by 60 months from July, as per a newly approved charter.

The military took control in a 2022 coup, initially pledging to hold elections in July this year to reinstate civilian rule but emphasizing that security issues would take precedence.

The new charter, signed by military leader Ibrahim Traore, sets the transition period at 60 months starting from July 2. It notes that elections to end the transition could be held earlier if the security situation improves.

This significant delay raises concerns about democratic regression in West and Central Africa, regions that have seen eight coups in the past four years.

The charter also permits Traore to run for president when elections occur.

Violence in West Africa’s Sahel region, driven by a decade-long conflict with Islamist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State, has intensified since the militaries seized power in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Burkina Faso faced a dramatic rise in deadly attacks in 2023, with over 8,000 fatalities reported by the U.S.-based crisis-monitoring group ACLED.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

______________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

WhatsApp CHANNEL
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22