Burkina Faso’s military-led government has formally dissolved all political parties, marking a major escalation in the consolidation of power by the ruling junta nearly three years after it seized control.
The decision was announced on Thursday following a cabinet meeting chaired by the military authorities, whose rule began after a series of coups in 2022. Political party activities had already been suspended since the military takeover, although parties were previously permitted to operate internally despite being barred from public gatherings.
Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who came to power in a September 2022 coup that ousted a previous junta, has since tightened restrictions on political opposition and dissent.
In a statement released by the presidency, the government justified the move by blaming political pluralism for social and political instability.
“The government believes that the proliferation of political parties has led to abuses, fuelled divisions among citizens and weakened the social fabric,” the presidency said.
Territorial Administration Minister Emile Zerbo said a draft law dissolving all political parties would be forwarded to the Transitional Legislative Assembly “as soon as possible.”
He added that the assets of the dissolved parties would be transferred to the state.
According to Zerbo, the decision is intended to “preserve national unity, strengthen the coherence of government action and pave the way for reforming political governance.”
The measure effectively eliminates about 100 political parties, including 15 that currently hold seats in the transitional parliament.
Burkina Faso has experienced repeated political upheaval since 2022. Traoré’s rise to power followed the removal of Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who had himself seized power just nine months earlier.
Damiba later fled into exile in Togo, where Burkina Faso’s military authorities accused him of plotting coups and assassination attempts, including allegations made earlier this month.
Togo extradited Damiba back to Burkina Faso this month, a development that has further underscored the junta’s efforts to neutralise perceived threats to its rule.
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