On state television, Burkina Faso’s military leader Captain Ibrahim Traore stated on Friday that, nearly a year after assuming power in a coup, elections in the country are not a “priority” compared to “security.”
Traore, who had previously pledged a restoration of democracy with presidential elections scheduled for July 2024, has now revealed plans to amend the constitution in order to ensure it reflects the interests of the “masses.”
“It’s not a priority, I’ll tell you that clearly, it’s security that’s the priority” Captain Ibrahim Traore stated to reporters, referring to the elections, in a country beset by jihadist violence.
When Traore took control, he had set a target of “two to three months” to enhance security in Burkina Faso. However, one year later, the nation in West Africa continues to be plagued by jihadist attacks.
At the age of 34, Traore became the world’s youngest leader upon his inauguration as interim president. He pledged to reclaim territory and facilitate a transition culminating in elections scheduled for July 2024.
Traore revealed his intention for a “partial change” to the country’s constitution, asserting on state television that the existing text primarily represents “the opinion of a handful of enlightened people”, to the detriment of the “popular masses”.
Burkina Faso disclosed on Thursday that four officers had been apprehended, a day after the military administration announced the foiling of a coup attempt.