Burkina Faso’s military government has dissolved all political parties and scrapped the laws governing them, marking the most sweeping restriction on political activity since the junta seized power in a 2022 coup.
The decision was formalized through a decree approved by the Council of Ministers on Thursday, effectively ending multiparty politics in the West African nation. Under the measure, all assets belonging to political parties will be transferred to the state, according to authorities.
Interior and Territorial Administration Minister Emile Zerbo explained that the move followed a government review that found political parties had failed to comply with regulations governing their existence. “The government believes that the proliferation of political parties has led to excesses, fostering division among citizens and weakening the social fabric,” Zerbo remarked.
Political party activities had already been suspended since the military took power, but the new decree bans them from operating altogether. Draft legislation outlining conditions for the creation of future political groups is expected to be submitted to the Transitional Legislative Assembly in the coming months.
Before the coup, Burkina Faso had more than 100 registered political parties, with 15 represented in parliament following the 2020 general elections. Elections intended to restore civilian rule were initially promised for 2024 but were later postponed until 2029, a decision criticized by opposition groups and rights organizations.
Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who took power in September 2022 after overthrowing an earlier military leader, has faced growing accusations of suppressing dissent and shrinking civic space. His government has also dissolved the independent electoral commission and placed the judiciary under closer executive oversight.
Burkina Faso is among several Sahel nations experiencing prolonged military rule amid escalating violence by armed groups and delayed transitions back to democratic governance.
