Burkina Faso extends military rule by five years

The country’s ruler, Capt Ibrahim Traoré, will also be able to contest the next presidential election.
When he seized power in a coup nearly two years ago, Capt Traore pledged to restore the civilian government by 1 July this year.But Burkina Faso has now joined neighbouring Mali in extending military rule.
The move was announced , after a national consultation meeting in the West African country’s capital city, Ouagadougou.
An amended charter, signed by Capt Traoré, states that the new 60-month transition period will take effect from 2 July this year.
Burkina Faso has been governed by the army since January 2022, when Lt Col Paul-Henri Damiba seized power from President Roch Kaboré.
Col Damiba justified the coup by saying the previous government had failed to deal with growing militant Islamist violence.