Ouagadougou – Burkina Faso’s military leader Captain Ibrahim Traore has told citizens to “forget about the issue of democracy”, declaring that “democracy kills” as his administration tightens its grip on power.
Traore, who seized control in a coup in September 2022, made the remarks during a roundtable discussion with journalists aired on state television on Thursday night. When questioned about the prospects of elections, he said his government was prioritising security over political processes.
“People need to forget about the issue of democracy,” he said. “We have to tell the truth: democracy isn’t for us.” 
Burkina Faso’s military authorities had initially pledged to organise elections in 2024 following the coup. However, Traore later stated that polls would not be held until the country was stable enough to allow citizens to vote safely. The West African nation has faced more than a decade of violence linked to Islamist insurgencies associated with al Qaeda and Islamic State.
During the televised discussion, Traore referred to Libya, claiming that outsiders attempted to “impose democracy” there. He added that “democracy kills.”
In January this year, his government dissolved all political parties after previously suspending political activities. Before the coup, Burkina Faso had more than 100 registered political parties, with 15 represented in parliament following the 2020 general election.
Neighbouring Mali and Niger, both under military leadership after coups, have also dissolved political parties in recent years. The three Sahel countries continue to battle insurgencies that have left thousands dead and displaced millions over the past decade.
On Thursday, Human Rights Watch released a report alleging that Burkina Faso’s military and allied forces have killed more than twice as many civilians as Islamist militants since 2023. The government did not respond to requests for comment from Reuters regarding the findings.
