Burkina Faso junta leader rejects democracy as political transition stalls

The people of Burkina Faso must abandon any hope of democracy, declared Captain Ibrahim Traoré, leader of the country’s ruling military junta, during a rare televised press conference on April 2 in Ouagadougou.

Speaking to national media, Traoré dismissed democratic governance as an unachievable goal for the nation, stating “democracy isn’t for us” and urging citizens to “forget the question of democracy”.

Military charter extends junta’s grip on power

The controversial remarks came as Burkina Faso‘s transitional government unveiled a new charter granting the junta an additional five-year mandate starting July 2024, effectively delaying elections indefinitely. Captain Traoré would be eligible to run in presidential, legislative, and municipal elections scheduled at the end of this extended period.

The political shift follows the dissolution of the Independent National Electoral Commission in October 2025 and the February 2026 ban on all political parties—whose activities had already been suspended for years.

International media restrictions escalate under junta

Since seizing power in September 2022—Traoré‘s second coup in eight months—the military regime has systematically restricted foreign media access. Several international outlets have had their broadcasts suspended, and journalists expelled, while RTB, the state-controlled broadcaster, remains the primary platform for government messaging.

In an unprecedented two-hour press interaction, Traoré fielded questions from Burkinabè and international journalists, including representatives from Rai (Italy) and Sky News (UK).

Ousted predecessor faces justice

The junta leader also addressed the case of his predecessor, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who took power in January 2022 before being overthrown. Damiba now faces charges of corruption and involvement in multiple coup attempts, with Traoré confirming he was extradited from Togo at Burkina Faso’s request and is “in the hands of the judiciary.”

“A judge has already seen him… he is under justice’s authority,” Traoré stated during the interview.

Security crisis deepens as junta denies civilian targeting allegations

Burkina Faso has grappled with jihadist insurgencies for nearly a decade, leaving thousands dead. While human rights groups accuse the army and allied Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) of civilian killings, Traoré dismissed these claims, asserting “there is no proof.”

The junta leader also acknowledged Russia as an ally providing military equipment, though he emphasized “no foreign forces train Burkina Faso’s troops—our soldiers fight on the ground.”