Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – January 30, 2026 – In a decisive move that further entrenches military rule, Burkina Faso’s junta has formally dissolved all political parties across the country, scrapping the legal framework that once governed their operations and transferring their assets to the state.
The decree was approved during a Council of Ministers meeting on Thursday, January 29, 2026, under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in a September 2022 coup. Interior Minister Emile Zerbo announced the decision in a televised statement, describing it as a necessary step to “rebuild the state” amid what the government called widespread abuses, dysfunction, and divisions fueled by the multiparty system.”
The proliferation of political parties has led to abuses, fuelled divisions among citizens, and weakened the social fabric,” Zerbo stated, according to government reports and international media outlets. Before the 2022 coup, Burkina Faso had more than 100 registered political parties, with around 15 holding seats in parliament following the 2020 elections.
Party activities had already been suspended since the military takeover, barring them from public rallies and severely limiting their role.The new decree disbands all political parties and similar formations entirely. It repeals laws regulating party statutes, financing, and even the status of an opposition leader. A related bill will be forwarded to the transitional council for formal adoption.
All party assets are now required to be handed over to the state.This action follows a pattern of consolidating power under Traoré’s leadership. Since taking control, the junta has postponed elections (originally slated for earlier years) to 2029, dissolved the Independent National Electoral Commission in July 2025 citing high costs, and imposed restrictions on civic freedoms and dissenting voices.
The country has also shifted away from Western alliances, withdrawing from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), while forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) with military-led neighbors Mali and Niger to bolster regional security and economic ties.
Analysts and rights groups view the dissolution as a major setback for democracy and pluralism in Burkina Faso, a nation grappling with persistent jihadist insurgencies linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS affiliates that have displaced millions and claimed thousands of lives.
The move is seen as part of an ongoing effort to prioritize national unity and state rebuilding over multiparty politics amid these security challenges.The decision has drawn swift attention on social media platforms, with users sharing headlines, images of junta leader Traoré, and commentary on its implications for the future of political expression in the Sahel region.
As Burkina Faso continues its transition under military governance, questions remain about the path forward for democratic restoration and how this consolidation of power will impact efforts to address the country’s deep-rooted security and humanitarian crises.
