Four Years of Ibrahim Traoré: Burkina Faso Faces Security and Rights Challenges

Four years after Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in Burkina Faso, the country remains under military rule while facing a continuing jihadist insurgency and growing concerns over human rights and press freedom. Traoré took power on 30 September 2022, presenting his government as a break from previous leadership and promising to restore security and strengthen Burkina Faso’s sovereignty. He has also frequently invoked the legacy of former president Thomas Sankara and promoted Pan-Africanism and greater national economic independence. However, the government has faced criticism over its tre

Four years after Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in Burkina Faso, the country remains under military rule while facing a continuing jihadist insurgency and growing concerns over human rights and press freedom. Traoré took power on 30 September 2022, presenting his government as a break from previous leadership and promising to restore security and strengthen Burkina Faso’s sovereignty. He has also frequently invoked the legacy of former president Thomas Sankara and promoted Pan-Africanism and greater national economic independence. However, the government has faced criticism over its treatment of journalists, opposition figures and civil society groups. In an interview with RFI, Inoussa Ouédraogo, an exiled journalist and former publishing director of the weekly Bendré, described an atmosphere of fear and alleged that people critical of the authorities have been abducted or forcibly recruited. Human Rights Watch has separately reported a deterioration in the country’s human rights situation, including restrictions on media and civil society and the use of emergency mobilisation powers against critics. The organisation has also documented serious abuses by government forces, pro-government militias and Islamist armed groups. Security remains the central challenge. While the authorities point to military operations and development initiatives as evidence of progress, critics argue that economic projects cannot replace fundamental rights and accountability. Four years into Traoré’s rule, Burkina Faso continues to face the difficult task of confronting armed groups while addressing concerns over civilian protection, press freedom and political space.