Junta-led Burkina Faso's Parliament has dissolved all political parties, whose activities have been suspended since the military rulers seized power more than three years ago.
Under Captain Ibrahim Traore, who led a coup in September 2022, the junta has muzzled critics, arresting dissidents or forcing them into fighting jihadists. On Monday (February 10, 2026), the transitional Parliament adopted a bill repealing the laws governing political parties and groups in the West African country, according to a Legislative Assembly statement seen by AFP on Tuesday (February 10, 2026).
Burkina Faso's junta dissolves all of country's political parties, saying they cause divisions
Authorities unveiled the plan two weeks ago, arguing it was necessary for "national unity". "The government believes that the proliferation of political parties has led to abuses, fuelled divisions among citizens and weakened the social fabric," the presidency said last month in a readout of a Cabinet meeting.
United Nations rights chief Volker Turk has urged Burkina to reverse the decision to ban political parties and stop the repression of civic space. Mr. Traore ousted Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who had only taken power nine months earlier in a previous military coup.
