In a significant political shake-up, Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has dismissed Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela and dissolved the national government. This decision, announced through a presidential decree on December 6, 2024, did not specify the reasons behind the move.
September 2022 Coup: Captain Traoré assumed power in September 2022 after ousting Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who had led a coup earlier that year against democratically elected President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.
Security Challenges: The junta has struggled to address escalating extremist violence linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, resulting in thousands of deaths and over two million displaced persons.
Burkina Faso has aligned itself with neighboring Sahel countries Mali and Niger, both under military rule following recent coups. The three nations formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2024, distancing themselves from former colonial power France and seeking new partnerships, notably with Russia.
International Relations
The junta’s foreign policy has emphasized national sovereignty and a pivot away from Western alliances. Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré stated that cooperation with Russia “bina Faso’s current needs compared to its historical ties with France. citeturn0fetch* The dismissal f he prime minister and dissolution of the government underscore the junta’s intent to consolidate power amid ongoing security and political challenges. As the nation nvgates thisnternational community remains watchful of Burkina Faso’s trajectory under military leadership.
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