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Burkina Faso's military government has extended its rule by five years. Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power nearly two years ago, will be eligible to run in the next presidential election, according to state media.
Capt. Traoré had initially pledged to restore civilian government by July 1, but this deadline has been pushed back. The announcement was made following a national consultation meeting in Ouagadougou.
The new 60-month transition period will start on July 2. Elections may be held earlier if security improves, as noted by Reuters. Burkina Faso has been under military rule since Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba ousted President Roch Kaboré in January 2022, citing failure to control Islamist violence.
In September 2022, Capt. Traoré overthrew Col. Damiba, promising to improve security and restore civilian rule within 21 months. He later emphasized that elections are secondary to reclaiming jihadist-held territories.
The new charter removes quotas for assembly seats, instead selecting deputies based on "patriotism." The national consultation saw swift decisions, with political parties reportedly absent at the start.
International bodies, including the EU and UN, have accused Burkina Faso of serious human rights violations in its fight against Islamists, such as indiscriminate killings and forced disappearances of civilians.
