Elections in Burkina Faso: a priority put on hold by the security situation
In a country marked by jihadist violence, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, transitional president since the September 2022 coup, declared that elections were not a priority at the moment. Security remains the main issue in Burkina Faso, where terrorist attacks have led to numerous human losses and the displacement of millions of people.
Faced with this reality, Ibrahim Traoré stressed that security must take precedence over elections. He expressed his commitment to allowing the Burkinabè to choose their president, but without setting a precise date. He also insisted that elections could not be limited to a few large cities, but must be accessible to all citizens.
Alongside this question, the transitional president raised the need for a partial modification of the Burkinabe Constitution. According to him, the current text only represents the opinion of an enlightened minority, neglecting the opinion of the wider population. This announcement sparked demonstrations in support of the military regime and the demand for a new constitution.
The Burkinabè army does not seem to be plagued by internal dissension, despite the recent coup attempt revealed by the government. Ibrahim Traoré declared that these were manipulated individuals and assured that there was no unease within the army. He also underlined the importance of collaboration between soldiers and the Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP), civilian auxiliaries of the army who play a crucial role in the fight against jihadists.
In this context, the transitional president spoke of the need to strengthen the army’s equipment, regretting that certain actors refuse to sell equipment to Burkina Faso. He also mentioned that the majority of military equipment was of Russian origin, highlighting the need to diversify partnerships and find new allies.
In conclusion, the worrying security situation in Burkina Faso has put the elections on hold, which are not considered a priority by the transitional president, Ibrahim Traoré. Efforts are focused on the fight against jihadist violence and the partial modification of the Constitution to allow greater participation of the population. Collaboration between the army and the VDP is paramount in this fight, as the country seeks new partners to strengthen its military capabilities.