By Habeeb Ibrahim
Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, has removed Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela from office and dissolved the government. This was announced on Friday through a presidential statement, but no reason was given for the decision.
Kyelem de Tambela became prime minister in October 2022, following the coup that brought Traore to power. He led three governments during his time in office but has now been dismissed. The statement said members of the dissolved government would continue with basic duties until a new government is put in place.
Burkina Faso has faced several political changes in recent years. In January 2022, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba led a coup to remove President Roch Marc Christian Kabore. Eight months later, Damiba himself was overthrown by Traore. Damiba is now living in exile in Togo.
Under Traore’s leadership, Burkina Faso has cut ties with France, the former colonial ruler, and instead formed closer ties with Russia. Along with Mali and Niger, the country joined the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2023. These nations, all led by military governments, have also left the regional bloc ECOWAS, accusing it of favoring France.
Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore recently said working with Russia better suits Burkina Faso’s needs. Russian military instructors are already in the country, helping with the fight against Islamist militants.
Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been battling extremist violence that has displaced two million people and killed over 26,000, according to monitoring groups. The conflict, which began in Mali, has spread across the region, leaving communities struggling for safety.
