Burkina Faso’s Military Ruler Removes Prime Minister and Dissolves Government

Burkina Faso’s military ruler, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has dismissed his Prime Minister, Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela, and dissolved the entire government, according to a decree signed by the junta leader on Friday.

The decree did not provide specific reasons for the dismissal, but it did state that the members of the dissolved government would remain in their positions until a new cabinet is appointed.

Tambela, a civilian, was appointed as prime minister in 2022, shortly after Traoré seized power in a military coup. His removal follows a pattern seen in neighboring Mali, where coup leader Gen. Assimi Goïta recently dismissed civilian Prime Minister Choguel Maïga.

Also Read: Burkina Faso Removes ECOWAS Logo In New Passport Issued

It remains uncertain whether Traoré will follow Goïta’s lead by appointing a military official as the new prime minister, a move that would strengthen the junta’s hold on power in Burkina Faso.

See Also

Peter Obi declares he’ll run for 2027 presidential election

Burkina Faso, like many of its Sahel neighbors, continues to grapple with escalating security threats from jihadist groups. Despite promises from the military government to improve security, the country remains besieged by frequent insurgent attacks, leaving citizens in a state of uncertainty.

The growing concerns in the region extend beyond security, with fears that military leaders in the Sahel are delaying elections and extending their time in power, effectively stalling the return to civilian rule. The situation remains precarious, and the next steps from Traoré’s government will be closely watched both locally and internationally.