The military-led government of Burkina Faso has dissolved its national government and dismissed Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela. This move, announced via a presidential decree by interim leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré, leaves the country in a state of heightened political uncertainty. While the decree specified that government ministers would continue to manage ongoing matters until a new administration is formed, no explanation was provided for the prime minister’s removal.
Kyelem de Tambela, who was appointed in October 2022 following Traoré’s rise to power, had served through multiple reshuffles. His dismissal marks yet another shift in Burkina Faso’s turbulent political landscape, which has been dominated by coups and military rule since 2022. The current junta, led by Traoré, seized power after overthrowing another military government that had earlier deposed President Roch Kaboré.
Burkina Faso’s military leadership has faced mounting challenges, including the ongoing security crisis that has left significant parts of the country outside government control. The junta has extended its rule and adopted a more nationalist posture, severing ties with traditional Western allies such as France and aligning more closely with other Sahel countries under military regimes, like Mali and Niger.
These developments occur in a broader context of instability in the Sahel region, where military takeovers have been a recurring theme since 2020. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have recently formed the Alliance of Sahel States, emphasizing regional sovereignty while distancing themselves from Western influence.
The dissolution of the government highlights the junta’s struggle to maintain stability and address the persistent insurgencies that plague the nation. As observers await the appointment of a new government, the implications for Burkina Faso’s governance and regional alliances remain unclear.
