When Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in Burkina Faso in late September 2022, he framed his leadership as a temporary measure to stabilize the country. Yet over three years into his rule, the junta leader shows no signs of relinquishing control. Critics argue his government has grown increasingly repressive, all while he invokes the legacy of revolutionary icon Thomas Sankara to legitimize his authority.

In a significant political development, the Progressive Popular Revolution Charter (RPP) was unanimously endorsed by members of the Transitional Legislative Assembly in late March. This new charter replaces the 2024 Transitional Charter, signaling a shift in the military-led government’s policy framework. Meanwhile, Amnesty International has sharply criticized the authorities, demanding the immediate reversal of their decision to dissolve over a hundred civil society organizations—many of which focus on human rights advocacy.

This week on L’Arbre à Palabres, we dissect these developments and assess the progress of the Alliance of Sahel States, established on September 16, 2023, to address shared security and governance challenges in the region.

Joining the discussion:

• Teehl Loé Konaté, project coordinator and analyst specializing in Pan-African dynamics and international relations. He also serves as Deputy Secretary-General of Kamita, a civil society organization focused on culture, history, and Pan-African foresight.
• Paul Amegakpo, President of the Tamberma Institute for Governance (ITG).
• Mayra Djibrine, President of the Alliance of Sahel Democrats.

To listen to the full discussion, click the play button in the center of the audio player.