Burkina Faso junta extends military rule for another five years

Burkina Faso's ruling junta will remain in power for another five years under an accord adopted during national consultations on Saturday, delaying the transition back to democracy.

The decision was announced after the signing of a new charter following national talks in the capital Ouagadougou, on Saturday.

"The duration of the transition is fixed at 60 months from 2 July, 2024," Colonel Moussa Diallo, chairman of the organising committee of the national dialogue process, said after the talks.

Civil society representatives, security and defence forces and lawmakers in the transitional assembly took part in the talks, but they were boycotted by most political parties.

According to the charter, signed by acting president and military leader Ibrahim Traore, elections marking the end of the transition may be organised before the deadline "if the security situation so permits".

It also allows Traore to run for president when the elections take place.

A 'new page' in history

The army has governed Burkina Faso since seizing power in a coup in 2022.

An initial charter installed Traore as president and put in place a government and a legislative assembly.

The duration of the transition to civilian rule was fixed at 21 months, with the deadline due to expire on 1 July, but the regime also said that security considerations would take priority.

(with newswires)

Read more on RFI English

Read also:
Burkina Faso expels French diplomats for 'subversive activities'
Burkina Faso prosecutor says around 170 'executed' in attacks on villages
Ecowas' future in jeopardy after Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso leave group