Burkina Faso, alongside several other countries, forms the landscape of West Africa. In recent news, Burkina Faso’s army announced the ousting of President Roch Kabore, leading to the suspension of constitutional law, the dissolution of the government and national assembly, and a total closure of the country’s borders. This incident follows a series of coups across Africa where military forces have toppled governments, as evidenced in Mali, Guinea and Chad over the past 18 months.
The History and Current Situation in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso, a former French colony, has been plagued by chronic instability since achieving independence in 1960. This instability is marked by numerous coups, further revealing the troubled political climate of the nation. Notably, the country’s name, which translates to “land of the honest men”, was assigned by revolutionary military officer Thomas Sankara after he seized power in 1983.
Despite being a gold producer, landlocked Burkina Faso remains one of West Africa’s poorest countries. An ongoing Islamist insurgency, spilling over from neighbouring Mali since 2015, amplifies this issue. It has led to widespread anger within the military ranks and severe damage to the critical tourist industry.
The Challenges Faced by Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso faces significant security challenges with Islamist militants controlling vast territories of the country. Citizens have been compelled to abide by a harsh version of Islamic law imposed by these militants, increasing tension within the state. The battle to suppress this insurgency continues to exhaust scarce national resources.
The ousted president, Kabore, had faced mounting protests due to increased killings of civilians and soldiers by militants suspected to be linked to Islamic State and al Qaeda. Discontent reached a peak in November 2021 when suspected jihadists killed 53 people, predominantly from the security forces.
The Military Coup and Its Aftermath
The army justified its actions by citing the deterioration of the security situation and Kabore’s perceived inability to unite Burkina Faso. They released this statement under the name of a new entity – the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR), incorporating all sections of the army. The MPSR promised a future return to constitutional order following consultations with various national sectors.
Global Response to the Coup
The world has responded with shock and outrage to the coup. Both African and Western powers have rallied against what they label as an “attempted coup”. The European Union has demanded the immediate release of the President, echoing the sentiments of the United States.
United Nations’ Secretary-General condemned any forcible government takeover in Burkina Faso and urged coup leaders to surrender their weapons. Similarly, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) denounced the forceful power acquisition, with ECOWAS ensuring the protection of the deposed president’s well-being.
The African Union, comprising 55 African states, and ECOWAS, representing fifteen Western African countries, play pivotal roles in the continent’s political landscape. Their resonance in unknown situations like these underlines the importance of regional groupings and international institutions in these challenging times.