Burkina Faso junta announces ban on all political parties

16 minutes agoWedaeli ChibelushiAFP via Getty ImagesBurkina Faso reportedly had more than 100 registered parties before the 2022 coupBurkina Faso's junta has announced a ban on all political parties, whose activities have been suspended since the military seized power in 2022.Junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré has been criticised for suppressing dissent and the move will be seen as the latest move to tighten control.According to Burkina Faso's Interior Minister Emile Zerbo, the ban is part of plans to "rebuild the state" after what he said were "numerous abuses" in the country's multiparty system.Zerbo said the system had been "promoting division among citizens and weakening the social fabric".Parties were previously banned from holding public gatherings but the new decree stops them from operating altogether.All the assets of the dissolved parties would be transferred to the state, Zerbo said, adding that a draft law would be sent to the Transitional Legislative Assembly "as soon as possible".The country had more than 100 registered political parties before the coup, with 15 represented in parliament after the 2020 general election, reports the Reuters news agency.Traoré's 2022 coup ousted Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who had taken power only nine months earlier.Burkina Faso is among a string of West African countries who have experienced coups in recent years, prompting concerns about the region's stability.More about Burkina Faso from the BBC:Getty Images/BBCBBC Africa podcasts