Lagos, Nigeria — Burkina Faso’s ruling military junta has appointed Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo as the new prime minister, a day after abruptly dissolving the government. The announcement was made by military leader Ibrahim Traoré via a presidential decree read on state television on Saturday.
Ouedraogo, a journalist by profession and a close ally of Traoré, previously served as communications minister and spokesperson for the now-dissolved government. He is also a former editor-in-chief and director of Burkina Faso’s state television.
The junta has provided no explanation for the dismissal of former Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela, who had been appointed interim premier shortly after Traoré took power in September 2022. The sudden move has raised questions about the internal workings of the junta and its governance strategy.
Kyelem’s removal comes in the wake of a series of military interventions in Burkina Faso. In September 2022, Traoré led a coup that ousted Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who himself had overthrown the democratically elected President Roch Marc Kaboré eight months earlier.
Burkina Faso remains one of several West African nations that have experienced recent military takeovers, with juntas seizing power on the grounds of addressing escalating security concerns. Despite these assurances, the country continues to face severe challenges posed by extremist violence in the Sahel.
More than 2 million people have been displaced by conflict, and nearly 40 per cent of Burkina Faso’s territory is now outside state control. The junta, which initially garnered public support by pledging to restore security, has been unable to stem the violence, leading to growing discontent among the population.
The political instability in Burkina Faso is reflective of a wider trend in West Africa, where military-led governments in Mali, Niger, and Guinea have also supplanted democratically elected administrations. While the juntas claim to prioritise security, critics argue that they have failed to deliver substantial improvements on the ground.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other international observers continue to express concern over the erosion of democratic norms in the region.
The appointment of Ouedraogo, who is known for his communication skills and close ties to Traoré, suggests an effort by the junta to consolidate its grip on power. However, it remains uncertain whether this leadership change will address Burkina Faso’s entrenched political and security challenges.
For now, the country remains at a crossroads, with promises of stability clashing with the realities of persistent violence and governance struggles. The international community and Burkinabè citizens alike will be closely monitoring developments in the weeks to come.
