Burkina Faso’s Transition Government Gets a 5-year Confidence Vote by the People

Flag of Burkina Faso

Last Saturday, the people of Burkina Faso came out in a resounding form, via Civil society representatives, security and defence forces and lawmakers in a transitional assembly to approve a new charter which extends the transition government of Ibrahim Traoré, by 60 months starting on July 2, 2024. Thus, at the end of the 2-day national dialogue, Ibrahim Traoré has been given a vote of confidence for 5 more years, at the end of which he can also run for president when the elections take place. This charter also states that elections marking the end of the transition may be organized before this deadline if the security situation permits. As one can see, in a country which has been under attack by jihadist terrorists and whose territory is divided, security and territorial integrity is of utmost importance. [France to Withdraw Troops from Burkina FasoMali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Sign a Mutual Defence PactMali, Burkina Faso, and Niger all leave the ECOWASMali and Niger end Long-Standing Tax Treaties with France].

Now, Western media cry about democracy, and are calling this national dialogue consultation by the people of Burkina Faso, a slide away from democracy, yet they did not see a problem with Ukraine not holding elections given that it is currently a country at war.

Excerpts below are from Jurist News.

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Ibrahim Traore lays the foundation for the Thomas Sankara Mausoleum (Source: LeFaso.net)

Burkina Faso’s acting president Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power following a 2022 coup, signed a new amended Transition Charter Saturday that extends the transition period to five years. The original charter called for the transition period to end in July 2024.

Article 22 of the new Transition Charter states that the duration of the transition is set at sixty months starting from July 2, 2024. The provision also states that elections marking the end of the transition may be organized before this deadline if the security situation permits. …

The amended Transition Charter in Burkina Faso also includes several new provisions. For instance, according to Article 5, Captain Traoré now holds the titles of President of Faso, Head of State, and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Additionally, Traoré, along with the Prime Minister and the President of the Transitional Legislative Assembly, will be eligible to run in the presidential, legislative, and municipal elections organized to mark the end of the transition period.

Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso

An alarming pattern [alarming to the West] has emerged across West Africa where military forces have overthrown democratically-elected governments [more like puppet governments of the West], accusing them of breaking promises made to citizens. Burkina Faso has been caught up in this trend. In September 2022, the current military junta took power by ousting the previous military regime under Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba, which had itself seized control just eight months prior through a coup that removed President Roch Marc Kaboré from his elected position. Following the latest coup, Captain Traoré was appointed as the transitional president. …

Burkina Faso Names Boulevard in Honor of Thomas Sankara

Ibrahim Traore, President of the Transition, raises the new plate renaming the boulevard after President Thomas Sankara (Source: LeFaso.net)

On the 36th anniversary of Thomas Sankara’s assassination, Burkina Faso rulers have officially renamed one of the main streets of the capital Ouagadougou, previously known as General Charles de Gaulle Boulevard, replacing the country’s former colonial ruler with its very own leader and inspiration of the nation, Thomas Sankara.

The event took place on October 15 at the Thomas Sankara Memorial in Ouagadougou. Attendees included relatives of the late leader, the president of the transition, Ibrahim Traore, and government officials were in Ouagadougou. During this ceremony, President Thomas Sankara was elevated to the rank of hero of the nation.

“We are heirs of the revolution” by Thomas Sankara

Article 1. The late Captain Thomas Isidore Noël Sankara is recognised as a Hero of the Nation […] The day of homage to the late Captain Isidore Thomas Noël Sankara is to be celebrated every 15th of October in Ouagadougou,” Bassolma Bazié, Minister of the Civil Service of Burkina Faso said.

The President of the transition, captain Traoré, laid the foundation stone for the Thomas Sankara mausoleum. The mausoleum will be built on the very site of the assassination of Thomas Sankara and of 12 of his companions. The Memorial complex will contribute to the strengthening of national unity, the valorization of history and collective memory, the revival of tourism in Burkina Faso, the revitalization of cultural and creative industries, the blossoming of science productions and education.

Ibrahim Traore lays the foundation for the Thomas Sankara Mausoleum (Source: LeFaso.net)

The boulevard, previously known as Boulevard Charles de Gaulle, adjoining the memorial, has been renamed after the panafricanist icon and former president Thomas Sankara.

Today the Boulevard has been named Boulevard Thomas Sankara instead of Boulevard Charles de Gaulle. So today we’re very proud. Because if the Boulevard had been named after imperialists, today we think that we also have heroes, we also have valiant Burkinabe [after whom we] can name these Boulevards or streets […]” [Africanews]