Burkina Faso’s ruling military government has officially dissolved the country’s Independent National Electoral Commission, transferring control of future elections to the Interior Ministry. The move, announced via state broadcaster RTB on Tuesday, is the latest in a string of reforms by the junta since it seized power in a 2022 coup led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré. Interior Minister Emile Zerbo defended the decision, citing financial waste and national sovereignty. He stated that the commission, which cost the government an estimated $870,000 annually, had become “a burden” and a potential channel for foreign influence. “This will reinforce our sovereign control over the electoral process,” Zerbo said.
The dissolution comes amid growing concerns that the military rulers are entrenching themselves in power. Initially pledging a swift return to civilian rule, the junta has now postponed democratic elections until July 2029, giving Captain Traoré the opportunity to run for president. The decision has sparked fears among civil society groups and international observers about the erosion of democratic institutions. Critics say the government is consolidating control while silencing dissent. Political parties remain sidelined, and press freedom has come under increasing pressure.
Since taking over, Burkina Faso’s military leaders have distanced themselves from traditional Western allies, notably France, and turned instead to Russia for military support. Despite these efforts, Islamist insurgency attacks have surged. Data verified by the BBC shows that militant group JNIM (Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin) claimed responsibility for over 280 attacks in the first half of 2025—more than double the number from the same period in 2024. Human rights organizations have accused the military of committing abuses against civilians under the guise of counter-terrorism, further fueling instability in a country already reeling from years of conflict and displacement. With the electoral commission now dismantled, many fear Burkina Faso is on a path toward prolonged military rule with diminishing prospects for a return to democracy.
