Burkina Faso’s military government has dissolved all political parties, further tightening its control over the country, according to a report by Reuters.
The decision was announced on Friday under a new decree signed by the military authorities led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who took power after a coup in September 2022. The move effectively bans all political party activities across the West African nation.
Government officials said the measure is part of ongoing “reforms” aimed at restoring security and national unity, as Burkina Faso continues to battle Islamist insurgency that has destabilized large parts of the country for more than a decade.
Since seizing power, the military leadership has suspended the constitution, restricted political freedoms, and delayed a return to civilian rule. Political parties had already been operating under heavy limitations, but the latest decree formally dissolves them and strips them of legal recognition.
Analysts say the move signals a hardening stance by the junta and raises concerns about political pluralism, human rights, and the prospects for democratic transition. Critics argue that dissolving parties silences opposition voices and reduces avenues for peaceful political engagement.
The military government has defended its actions, insisting that political competition in the past weakened the state and distracted leaders from addressing insecurity and governance challenges.
Burkina Faso joins a growing list of countries in the Sahel region—alongside Mali and Niger—where military rulers have taken sweeping actions to curb political activity following coups.
There was no immediate reaction from opposition leaders, many of whom have been sidelined or operate quietly amid restrictions. International partners are expected to closely monitor the situation as concerns grow over shrinking democratic space in the region.
