By John Ikani
Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has removed Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela and dissolved the country’s government.
The announcement, made through a decree signed by Capt Traoré on Friday, did not explain the reasons for the prime minister’s dismissal. However, it noted that members of the dissolved cabinet would remain in place temporarily until a new government is formed.
Tambela, a civilian appointee, was named to the role in 2022, shortly after Capt Traoré rose to power following a coup. His removal follows a similar move in neighbouring Mali, where coup leader General Assimi Goïta recently replaced civilian prime minister Choguel Maïga.
There is speculation over whether Capt Traoré might follow Mali’s example by selecting a military official as the next prime minister to tighten the junta’s hold on authority.
Burkina Faso, like other nations in the Sahel, is battling a severe jihadist insurgency that continues to threaten stability across the region.
Despite pledges from the military leadership to tackle insecurity, attacks by insurgents persist, leaving the population increasingly vulnerable.
Critics warn that junta leaders in the Sahel may be intentionally delaying elections, raising fears of efforts to entrench military rule and postpone the transition to civilian governance.
