Burkina Faso’s military leader, Ibrahim Traoré, has urged citizens to move away from democratic governance, arguing that the system does not serve the country’s interests.
Speaking in a televised interview, Traoré suggested that many Africans do not favour Western-style democracy, adding that Burkina Faso is pursuing its own model of governance, though he did not provide specific details.
“People need to forget about the issue of democracy. Democracy is not for us,” he said.
Traoré, who came to power through a coup in 2022, had initially promised to return the country to civilian rule by July 2024. However, shortly before the deadline, the ruling junta announced an extension of its transition period by five years, effectively prolonging military rule.
In January, the authorities also imposed a ban on all political parties, describing the move as part of efforts to “rebuild the state.”
The 38-year-old leader, who has positioned himself as a critic of Western influence in Africa, cited Libya as an example, pointing to the country’s instability following the fall of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi.
Libya, which was under Gaddafi’s rule for over four decades, has struggled with political fragmentation since his overthrow in 2011, with rival administrations and armed groups competing for control.
