Burkina Faso Government Scraps All Political Parties
In a sweeping move to consolidate control, Burkina Faso's military-led government has officially dissolved all political parties within the country.
The decision was announced following a Council of Ministers meeting on Thursday, January 29, 2026. According to the decree, the legal framework governing political parties has been scrapped, and all assets belonging to these organizations will now be transferred to the state.
"A Source of Division"
Minister of Territorial Administration, Emile Zerbo, justified the radical step as part of a broader effort to "rebuild the state." He stated that a government review revealed that the proliferation of political parties had created deep divisions and weakened social cohesion rather than fostering national unity.
"The government believes that the proliferation of political parties has led to excesses... fostering division among citizens," Zerbo explained.
Consolidating Power
This dissolution formalizes a de facto ban that has been in place for some time. Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in a September 2022 coup, political activities had already been suspended.
The government has promised that new draft laws to guide the establishment of future political groups will be submitted to the transitional legislature "as soon as possible". However, critics argue this is another move to entrench military rule and delay the return to democracy, especially given the indefinite postponement of elections.
This development aligns Burkina Faso closely with its neighbors in the Sahel, like Mali and Niger, where military juntas are similarly reshaping the political landscape under the banner of sovereignty and security.
Stay tuned for updates on the international reaction to this major politicalshift.
