The Burkinabè people must abandon democratic aspirations, declared junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré during a televised press conference on April 2. In his remarks, he stated that elections are not even a consideration for the foreseeable future, urging citizens to forget about democracy entirely.

Captain Traoré came to power in September 2022 through a coup d’état, marking the second such seizure of power in Burkina Faso within eight months. The political transition, initiated after the January 2022 coup, was originally scheduled to conclude with elections in July 2024.

military charter extends rule and postpones elections

The current military regime has adopted a charter that extends its mandate by five additional years starting July 2024. This charter also permits Captain Traoré to run in future presidential, legislative, and municipal elections, which are now slated for 2029.

Since assuming control, the military government has taken steps to consolidate power, including the dissolution of the Independent National Electoral Commission in October 2025 and the suspension—followed by outright ban—of political parties in February 2026.

democracy rejected as ‘not for us’ by Burkina Faso leader

“We are not even discussing elections right now,” Traoré stated during the April 2 press conference. “People need to forget about democracy—it is not for us.” This declaration follows his repeated public assertions that Burkina Faso is not a democracy. The interview, lasting over two hours, was conducted with both local and international journalists, including representatives from Italy’s Rai and the UK’s Sky News—a rarity under his administration.

The military regime, which has distanced itself from Western nations—particularly France—has restricted or banned numerous international media outlets and expelled several foreign journalists since Traoré’s rise to power.

justice and accountability under scrutiny

During the interview, Traoré addressed the case of his predecessor, former Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who seized power in January 2022. Damiba faces charges including corruption and alleged involvement in coup attempts and is currently detained in Ouagadougou after being extradited from Togo.

“A judge has already reviewed his case,” Traoré stated. “He is in the hands of the justice system.”

Burkina Faso has been plagued by jihadist violence for nearly a decade, resulting in thousands of deaths. While the Burkinabè military and its civilian auxiliaries, the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), have been accused by NGOs of targeting civilians, Traoré denied these allegations, claiming there is no evidence to support such accusations.

The junta leader also confirmed that Russia, a key ally, supplies military equipment to Burkina Faso but emphasized that no foreign forces are involved in combat operations. He asserted that Burkinabè soldiers are solely responsible for battlefield engagements.