Burkina Faso‘s ruling junta will remain in power for another five years after participants in national talks on Saturday proposed extending the transition back to democracy by 60 months from July, according to the text of an approved new charter.
The military authorities seized power in a 2022 coup and promised to hold elections in July this year to restore civilian rule, but also said that security considerations would take priority.
According to the new charter, signed by military leader Ibrahim Traore, the transition is set at 60 months from 2 July.
“The elections marking the end of the transition may be organised before this deadline if the security situation so permits,” it added.
The substantial delay is likely to deepen concerns about democratic backsliding in West and Central Africa, where there have been eight coups over the past four years.
The charter also allows Traore to run for president when the elections take place.
Violence in West Africa’s Sahel region fuelled by a decade-long fight with Islamist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State has worsened since respective militaries seized power in Burkina Faso and neighbouring Mali and Niger.
Burkina Faso experienced a severe escalation of deadly attacks in 2023, with more than 8,000 people reportedly killed, according to U.S.-based crisis-monitoring group ACLED.
Asaase Broadcasting Company broadcasts on radio via Asaase 99.5 in Accra, Asaase 98.5 in Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 in Tamale, Asaase 100.3 in Cape Coast, Asaase Pa 107.3 in Accra and our affiliates Azay FM 89.1 in Takoradi, Bawku FM 101.5 in Bawku, Bead FM 99.9 in Bimbilla, Mining City Radio 89.5 in Tarkwa, Nyatefe Radio 94.50 in Dzodze, Somuaa FM 89.9 in Gushegu, Stone City 90.7 in Ho and Wale FM 106.9 in Walewale.
Tune in to broadcasts online: asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995 (Accra), @asaase985ksi (Kumasi), @asaase997tamale (Tamale), @asaase1003 (Cape Coast) and AsaasePa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio995 (Accra), Asaase985ksi (Kumasi), asaase1003 (Cape Coast), asaase997tamale (Tamale) and Asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995
TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Live streaming on facebook.com at asaase99.5 (Accra), asaase985ksi (Kumasi), Asaase100.3 (Cape Coast), asaase99.7 (Tamale) and AsaasePa107.3. Also on YouTube: AsaaseXtra.
Join the conversation. Call Accra (020 000 9951 or 054 888 8995) or WhatsApp (020 000 0995). Call Kumasi (059 415 7985) or WhatsApp (020 631 5260). Call or WhatsApp Cape Coast (059 388 2652).
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand
