Burkina Faso: Military extends hold on government

Burkina Faso’s military ruler Capt Ibrahim Traoré has sacked his Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela and dissolved the entire government.

The dismissal of the head of government and his cabinet was announced in a decree signed by the junta leader on Friday.

The decree did not specify why the prime minister was sacked, but said members of the dissolved government will continue to serve until a new cabinet is appointed.

Tambela, a civilian, was named prime minister in 2022, shortly after Ibrahim Traoré seized power in a coup.

His dismissal comes barely weeks after another civilian prime minister, Choguel Maïga, was sacked by coup leader Gen Assimi Goïta in neighbouring Mali.

It remains unclear if Capt Traoré will emulate his Malian counterpart by appointing a military official as prime minister, to maintain the junta’s grip on power.

Burkina Faso, like its Sahel neighbours, continues to face security threats from jihadist groups.

Despite promises by the military to improve security, the situation remains dire with frequent attacks from insurgents.

There are concerns that junta leaders in the Sahel are trying to prolong their stay in power, by delaying elections meant to return their countries to civilian rule.