Burkina Faso’s military government dissolves political parties

Interior Minister says multiplication of political parties has fuelled divisions and weakened social cohesion.Published On 29 Jan 2026Burkina Faso’s military-led government has issued a decree dissolving all political parties that had already been forced to suspend activities after a coup four years ago.The West African nation’s council of ministers passed the decree on Thursday amid the government’s ongoing crackdown on dissenting voices as it struggles to contain insurgencies linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS).Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Militarising the Sahel will not defeat terrorismlist 2 of 3Why are some African countries banning US citizens from entry?list 3 of 3Will Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso bloc reshape the Sahel?end of listBurkina Faso‘s Interior Minister Emile Zerbo said the decision was part of a broader effort to “rebuild the state” after alleged widespread abuses and dysfunction in the country’s multiparty system.Zerbo said a government review found that the multiplication of political parties had fuelled divisions and weakened social cohesion.The decree disbands all political parties and political formations, with all their assets now set to be transferred to the state.Before the coup, the country had more than 100 registered political parties, with 15 represented in parliament after the 2020 general election.Burkina Faso is led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, who seized power in a coup in September 2022, eight months after an earlier military coup had overthrown democratically elected President Roch Marc Kabore.The country’s military leaders have cut ties with former colonial ruler France and turned to Russia for security support.In 2024, as part of its crackdown on dissent, the government ordered internet service providers to suspend access to the websites and other digital platforms of the BBC, Voice of America and Human Rights Watch.