Burkina Faso’s military leaders have disbanded the country’s electoral commission, labelling it a waste of resources. According to state-run RTB TV, the interior ministry will oversee elections in the future. Since taking power in September 2022, the coup leaders have implemented extensive reforms, including the postponement of elections that would facilitate a return to civilian rule. A nationwide vote that was scheduled for last year has now been postponed, with the junta extending the transition period to democracy until July 2029. This extension allows the leader, Capt. Ibrahim Traoré to remain in power and is eligible to contest the next presidential election.
Territorial Administration Minister Emile Zerbo was quoted by the AFP news agency, stating that the electoral commission was subsidised with approximately $870,000 (£650,000) each year. He claimed that abolishing the commission would “reinforce our sovereign control over the electoral process and at the same time limit foreign influences.” After coming to power three years ago amid criticism that the civilian authorities were failing to deal with a growing Islamist insurgency, the military leaders have rejected the assistance of former colonial power France in favour of Russia.
Rights groups have since accused the army of targeting civilians in its attempt to quash the militants, as well as suppressing political activity and the freedom of expression. There are also question marks over the effectiveness of the military operation. In the first half of 2025, jihadist group JNIM said it had carried out over 280 attacks in Burkina Faso – double the number for the same period in 2024, according to data verified by the BBC.
Source: BBC Africa
