Ibrahim Traoré said Burkina Faso should “forget” democracy, arguing the system is unsuitable for the country as his military government consolidates power.
“People need to forget about the issue of democracy. Democracy is not for us,” Traoré said in an interview broadcast on state television.
The 38-year-old captain, who seized power in a 2022 coup, suggested that Western-style democratic systems often bring instability, pointing to Libya as an example. He argued that efforts by Western powers to impose democracy have frequently been accompanied by violence.
Traoré had initially pledged to restore civilian rule by July 2024, but the junta later extended its transition period by five years. In January, authorities also banned all political parties, describing the move as part of efforts to “rebuild the state.”
He defended the decision, calling political parties divisive and incompatible with what he described as a “revolutionary project.”
“The truth is, politics in Africa – or at least what we’ve experienced in Burkina – is that a real politician is someone who embodies every vice,” he said.
While he did not outline a clear alternative political model, Traoré said the country would pursue its own system focused on sovereignty, patriotism, and grassroots mobilisation, with a stronger role for traditional leadership structures.
The junta leader also emphasised economic and military self-reliance, urging longer working hours as part of efforts to accelerate development.
Traoré’s government has faced criticism over its crackdown on opposition figures, media, and civil society. Rights groups have accused authorities of detaining critics and, in some cases, forcing them to the front lines in the fight against Islamist insurgents.
According to Human Rights Watch, more than 1,800 civilians have been killed in Burkina Faso since Traoré took power in 2023. The group attributes the majority of those deaths to the military and allied militias, with the remainder blamed on armed groups.
Despite the criticism, Traoré has built a strong following across parts of Africa, driven by his pan-Africanist rhetoric and opposition to Western influence.
Burkina Faso, alongside Mali and Niger, has distanced itself from Western partners—particularly France—in its counterinsurgency efforts, instead strengthening ties with Russia. However, violence linked to Islamist groups continues across the region.