Burkina Faso’s military leadership has appointed Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, the former communications minister, as prime minister following an unexpected government dissolution. The appointment comes amid continuing challenges facing the West African nation since the September 2022 military takeover, which marked the second coup within that year.
The junta, led by Ibrahim Traore, provided no official explanation for dismissing former Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela and dissolving the national government. This political reshuffling occurs as the country grapples with severe security challenges, particularly from extremist groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State organization.
The security situation remains critical, with approximately half of national territory outside government control. Violent extremist activities have resulted in thousands of casualties and displaced over two million people, half of whom are children. These persistent security challenges were initially cited as justification for military intervention in governance.
The transitional government operates under a constitution approved by a national assembly comprising military officers, civil society representatives, and traditional leaders. While initially committing to elections in July 2024 under pressure from ECOWAS, the regional bloc, the junta has extended its transition period by five years. Additionally, Burkina Faso has severed ties with traditional Western partners, including France, and withdrawn from ECOWAS alongside fellow coup-affected nations Mali and Niger.