A two-day national dialogue commenced in Burkina Faso on Saturday, May 26, 2024 aiming to navigate the country’s return to civilian governance amidst ongoing jihadist insurgencies.
The dialogue, initiated by the military government, seeks to create a unified path forward for the West African nation, which has been under military rule since 2022 following two coups.
During the opening ceremony, government minister Emile Zerbo conveyed a message from junta chief Captain Ibrahim Traore, emphasizing the importance of unity and cooperation to overcome current challenges. “We have a date with history,” Zerbo stated, urging the participants to “silence our quarrels to share the wealth of our diversity, to protect what is essential and write a new page in our history.”
The army’s justification for the coups largely stemmed from the country’s severe insecurity, with jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State conducting a relentless insurgency since 2015. This conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions of displacements.
An earlier national dialogue had established a charter that appointed Traore as president, formed a government, and set up a legislative assembly. The transition period to civilian rule was set for 21 months, expiring on July 1. However, Traore has consistently indicated that holding elections within this timeframe might be impractical due to the ongoing security crisis.
This weekend’s talks include civil society representatives, security and defense forces, and members of the transitional legislative assembly. The primary topics for discussion include the potential extension of the transition period, possibly by up to three and a half years from July 2, and the eligibility of Traore for future elections. It remains unclear if political parties will participate in these discussions.
