Traore yarn say democracy no dey for Burkina Faso, army rule extend five years

Burkina Faso military leader Ibrahim Traore don drop strong message for world. As him government extend military rule by another five years, Traore tell journalists say “people need to forget about democracy” and even claim say “democracy kills.” This na latest sign wey show say the young head of state no dey plan to hand over power anytime soon.

The man wey seize power for coup September 2022 originally promise say election go hold 2024. But one year after the coup, him change tune. Him say no election go happen until the country safe enough for everybody to vote. Burkina Faso don dey struggle with Islamist insurgencies wey link to al Qaeda and Islamic State for more than ten years now.

During roundtable with journalists wey state television air Thursday night, Traore shift focus comot from elections entirely. “People need to forget about the issue of democracy,” him declare. “We have to tell the truth: democracy isn’t for us.” Him even cite Libya as example where outsiders try impose democracy, adding that “democracy kills.” Strong words from man wey dey lead country wey democracy suppose be foundation.

Traore government don already dissolve all political parties for January, after earlier suspending political activities. Before the coup, the country get more than 100 registered political parties, with 15 dey parliament after 2020 general election. Neighbouring Mali and Niger, wey military rulers also dey lead after coups, don follow similar path dissolve political parties too.

But as Traore dey talk about democracy no dey important, new report from Human Rights Watch drop Thursday show another side of the story. The report allege say Burkina Faso military and their allies don kill more than twice as many civilians as Islamist militants since 2023. Serious accusation wey dey shake the foundation of Traore’s “progressive popular revolution” wey him dey preach.

Human Rights Watch document at least 1,837 civilian deaths between January 2023 and August 2025. Over 1,200 of these deaths dem attribute to state forces. Researchers say the violence fit amount to possible war crimes and crimes against humanity. Dem cite targeted killings, including one incident for 2024 where government forces allegedly execute 223 civilians for Yatenga province.

Jihadist fighters also dey implicated for deadly attacks, including one wey kill more than 100 civilians. But the numbers show say state forces don surpass even the terrorists wey dem suppose dey fight. The report further accuse authorities under President Ibrahim Traoré of overseeing crackdown on dissent and media, limiting information about the conflict.

Ethnic targeting of Fulani communities and reprisals against villages wey dem suspect dey support militants also dey highlighted for the report. The conflict, part of broader security crisis for Sahel region, don displace more than two million people and leave large parts of the country outside government control. Humanitarian needs dey continue to rise as violence escalate.

Meanwhile, Traore dey paint different picture during him interview with national and international media. Him claim say Burkina Faso don make significant efforts for fight against terrorism as part of campaign to reclaim national territory. “We can say that the initiative is now ours, and that is the most important aspect,” him yarn. “For several years, since the beginning of this war, we were in a wait-and-see posture, allowing the enemy to dictate the pace of operations.”

The Burkinabe head of state say tactical and operational improvements of the army na result of “numerous efforts in recruitment, equipment, and above all training.” Him recall say several localities wey terrorist groups once occupy don been retaken, enabling return of populations and reduction in number of internally displaced persons.

But as Traore dey celebrate territorial gains, Human Rights Watch report dey show human cost wey dey alarming. The government no respond to requests for comment from Reuters about the damning report. Islamist insurgencies for Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger don kill thousands and displace millions over the past decade.

Traore, wey be world’s youngest head of state, don shift Burkina Faso toward Russia while expelling French forces. The country don become global epicentre of extremist violence, with military rule now extended by five years. As democracy take back seat, civilians dey bear the brunt from both state forces and jihadist groups.