Burkina Faso has taken a major political turn after its interim legislative body passed a law prohibiting all political parties, a step analysts say further entrenches the authority of the ruling military leadership under Captain Ibrahim Traore.
The measure, adopted without dissent, eliminates existing laws that regulate political organisations, campaign funding, and the formal role of opposition groups. Party activities had already been frozen following the military takeover in 2022, making the new law a permanent extension of those restrictions.
International concern has grown in response. Last week, the UN’s top human rights official urged authorities in Ouagadougou to roll back measures limiting civic freedoms and abandon plans to outlaw political parties altogether.
The ban follows a series of tighter controls on civil society. In July, the government introduced new limits on freedom of association, and in November ordered NGOs and associations to operate bank accounts exclusively through a state-owned financial institution.
Government officials have defended the move, describing it as a necessary political “reset” aimed at reducing social divisions, which they argue were deepened by party politics.