OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — The military junta currently governing Burkina Faso has appointed a new prime minister, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, after abruptly dissolving the previous government just a day earlier without any stated reasons. Ouedraogo, who held the position of communications minister and government spokesperson prior to this appointment, was announced as the new prime minister by junta leader Ibrahim Traore in a decree broadcasted on state television on Saturday.
On Friday, Traore signed a decree to remove Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela and disband the national government. The lack of explanation for this sudden leadership change has raised questions among observers and citizens alike.
The military junta took control of Burkina Faso in September 2022, overthrowing the government of Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba, following an earlier coup that had ousted elected President Roch Marc Kaboré. Burkina Faso is among several West African countries where military regimes have recently seized power, often amid widespread public dissatisfaction with previous democratic administrations primarily due to persistent security issues.
Despite its promise to tackle the nation’s significant security concerns, the junta has faced difficulties in mitigating the threats posed by extremist groups affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State. These assaults have led to widespread devastation across the nation, resulting in thousands of deaths and displacing over two million people, many of whom are children. Analysts indicate that nearly half of Burkina Faso remains outside the government’s control, highlighting the ongoing crisis.
The transitional government operates under a constitution shaped by an assembly comprising military personnel, civil society representatives, and religious and traditional leaders. Under pressure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the junta initially aimed to hold elections by July 2024 to restore democratic governance. Nevertheless, in a controversial move in May, the military leadership opted to extend the transitional period by another five years, effectively aligning this duration with a single presidential term.
Similar to other nations facing military takeovers, such as Niger and Mali, Burkina Faso has severed its relationships with traditional partners, including former colonial power France and ECOWAS, withdrawing from these alliances earlier this year. The ongoing political turbulence raises concerns about the future stability and governance of the country.
