Burkina Faso’s military government has officially dissolved all political parties and associations, repealing the laws that once governed their operations. The sweeping move marks an end to formal party politics in the country.
The announcement came through the presidency’s communications directorate after a meeting of the council of ministers led by junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
Émile Zerbo, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Mobility, said the action is part of a broader initiative to “re-found the state.” Officials argued that the large number of political parties had fostered divisions among citizens and weakened social cohesion.
“The measure aims to preserve national unity, strengthen the coherence of government action, and open the way for a reform of political governance,” the presidency said. Under the decree, all assets owned by the dissolved parties will be transferred to the state. Zerbo added that draft legislation to formalize the decision will soon be submitted to the Transitional Legislative Assembly.
Before the military takeover, Burkina Faso had over 100 registered political parties, with 15 represented in parliament following the 2020 general elections. After Captain Traoré seized power in a coup in September 2022, parties had already been ordered to suspend their activities as part of transition arrangements.
At the same council meeting, the government approved a new national development framework called the “Reliance Plan.” The five-year roadmap, valued at FCFA 36 trillion (around $65 billion), will guide development initiatives in Burkina Faso from 2026 to 2030
