Burkina Faso’s military-led government has ordered the dissolution of all political parties and annulled the laws regulating their activities, deepening concerns about the shrinking space for political participation in the West African country.

The decision was approved by the government on Thursday through a decree that also mandates the transfer of all party assets to the state, according to the country’s state-run media.

Political party activities had already been suspended under the junta, which seized power in a 2022 coup. Rights groups say the latest move fits into a broader pattern of measures aimed at curbing opposition voices and limiting civic freedoms since the military takeover.

Speaking after a Council of Ministers meeting, Minister of Territorial Administration Emile Zerbo said authorities concluded that political parties had strayed from the principles under which they were created.

“The government believes that the proliferation of political parties has led to excesses, fostering division among citizens and weakening the social fabric,” Zerbo said.

He added that new draft laws to govern the formation of political parties and associations would be presented to the legislature “as soon as possible,” though no timeline was given for when political activities might resume.

Burkina Faso has become a focal point in a wave of military coups across West and Central Africa, where juntas have delayed transitions back to civilian rule. Since taking power, the country’s military leaders have postponed elections initially expected to restore democratic governance and dismantled key democratic institutions, including the independent electoral commission.

The latest decree further consolidates the junta’s control, raising fresh questions about the future of political pluralism and democratic rule in the country.

Source: APNews