Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, has dismissed the country’s prime minister and dissolved the government.
This was announced on Friday through a presidential decree obtained by AFP.
The decree stated, “The prime minister’s official functions are terminated,” but did not explain why Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela, who served as prime minister since October 2022, was removed. Members of the dissolved government were directed to continue with routine duties until a new government is formed.
Burkina Faso has faced political instability since a coup in January 2022, when Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba overthrew the elected president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore. However, Damiba’s rule was short-lived as Captain Traore, 36, led another coup in October 2022, ousting him. Damiba is currently in exile in Togo.
Under Traore’s leadership, Burkina Faso has moved closer to Russia, aligning with Mali and Niger, which are also governed by military juntas. The three countries formed the Alliance of Sahel States last September, breaking ties with former colonial ruler France.
Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore, recently stated that cooperation with Russia is “better suited” for the country than its historic ties with France. Moscow has sent military instructors to Burkina Faso and other African nations to assist in the fight against Islamist violence.
Burkina Faso continues to battle jihadist violence, which began in northern Mali in 2012 and spread to Niger and Burkina Faso by 2015. The conflict has forced about two million people to flee their homes and claimed over 26,000 lives, including civilians and soldiers, according to ACLED, a conflict monitoring group.
Captain Traore’s government has prioritized reclaiming national sovereignty and often criticizes Western influence in the region. In January, Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, distanced themselves from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), accusing it of being controlled by Paris.
