OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Burkina Faso’s military-led government has ordered the dissolution of all political parties and repealed the legal framework governing their operations, marking a dramatic overhaul of the country’s political system nearly 18 months after a coup brought the army to power.
The decision was approved by the council of ministers on Thursday and formalised through a presidential decree, effectively ending multiparty political activity in the West African nation.
Interior Minister Emile Zerbo said the move was aimed at “rebuilding the state,” citing deep-rooted dysfunctions and abuses within the multiparty system that he claimed had undermined national unity.
“Our review found that the proliferation of political parties fuelled divisions and weakened social cohesion,” Zerbo said, defending what critics are likely to view as one of the most far-reaching political crackdowns since the September 2022 military takeover.
Before the coup, Burkina Faso had more than 100 registered political parties, with at least 15 represented in parliament following the 2020 general election.
Political activities had already been suspended under military rule prior to Thursday’s decree.
Under the new measures, all political parties and formations are officially disbanded, while legislation regulating party financing and defining the role of the opposition leader will be repealed and submitted to the transitional legislative council.
The government also announced that assets belonging to the dissolved parties will be transferred to the state, further entrenching the authority of the military administration.
Analysts say the decision mirrors similar actions taken by fellow Sahel states Mali and Niger, where military governments have curtailed political freedoms while consolidating power amid persistent security crises.
Burkina Faso, like much of the Sahel, continues to battle Islamist insurgencies linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State.
The violence has killed thousands and displaced millions across the region over the past decade, placing immense strain on state institutions.
Thursday’s decree underscores the junta’s determination to reshape Burkina Faso’s political landscape as it tightens its grip on power while grappling with ongoing insecurity.
