|
LISTEN TO THIS THE AFRICANA VOICE ARTICLE NOW
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Burkina Faso’s military rulers will retain power for an additional five years following the conclusion of national talks that extended the transition back to democracy by 60 months from July 2, 2024, according to an approved new charter.
“The duration of the transition is fixed at 60 months from July 2, 2024,” announced Colonel Moussa Diallo, chairman of the organizing committee of the national dialogue process, after the discussions on Saturday.
The new charter was signed during what was initially a two-day national dialogue that began earlier on Saturday, intended to chart a path back to civilian rule in a country plagued by political violence.
The military seized power in a 2022 coup and had originally promised to hold elections in July of this year to restore civilian governance. However, they have prioritized security considerations.
“The elections marking the end of the transition may be organized before this deadline if the security situation permits,” states the new charter, signed by military leader Ibrahim Traore. The charter also allows Traore to run for president when the elections are held.
Under the new accord, traditional party quotas for assembly seats will be abolished, with “patriotism” being the sole criterion for selecting deputies.
Civil society representatives, security and defense forces, and lawmakers in the transitional assembly participated in the talks in Ouagadougou, which many political parties boycotted.
The delay is likely to deepen concerns about democratic backsliding in Western and Central Africa, a region that has experienced eight coups in the past four years.
In Burkina Faso, armed groups have waged a rebellion since 2015, killing thousands and displacing millions. The military government has struggled to address these security challenges, which they cited as the reason for their takeover in September 2022.
The government has severed military ties with former colonial ruler France and turned to Russia for security support. Currently, about half of Burkina Faso’s territory remains outside of government control.
LEAVE A COMMENT
You must be logged in to post a comment.