From Battleground to Ballot Box: A Chance at Lasting Renewal for Burkina Faso
by Collins Nweke

Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s rise to power in Burkina Faso has captured the imagination
of a continent weary of broken promises and deepening insecurity. Young, charismatic, and unapologetically nationalist,

Traoré has, in the eyes of many, offered a rare glimpse of courageous leadership in an age of widespread political malaise. His resolute stance against terrorism and neo-colonial influence has resonated particularly among African youth, yearning for dignity and authentic sovereignty. Yet, even the brightest flames of hope risk being extinguished if not anchored in legitimate, accountable governance.

The extension of military rule until at least 2029, the suspension of the constitution,
and the decision to sever ties with regional institutions like ECOWAS paint a troubling picture.

While Traoré’s government cites national security as the paramount concern, history reminds us that protracted military rule, however well-intentioned, often sows the seeds of authoritarianism and renewed instability. Burkina Faso, and indeed Africa, cannot afford another cycle of broken dreams.

A Clearer Path Forward Captain Traoré must urgently commit to a credible and phased democratic transition.

While security challenges are real, they must not become a permanent excuse for
suspended freedoms. A clear, publicly disclosed roadmap toward civilian rule, with
realistic but firm timelines, would not only reassure citizens but also provide a
framework for rebuilding trust with regional and international partners.

Furthermore, the inclusiveness of the transition process will be key. National
dialogues involving civil society, opposition groups, traditional leaders, and the youth
must shape the future constitutional and electoral architecture.

Transition should not be a military-to-military handover robbed in civilian agbada, but a genuine reimagining of governance that addresses the root causes of Burkina Faso’s cycles of unrest.

Thirdly and as importantly, re-engagement with ECOWAS and the African Union is
crucial. Isolation may bolster a certain narrative of sovereignty in the short term, but
regional solidarity offers indispensable political, economic, and security lifelines.
Burkina Faso should seek to negotiate an honourable return to ECOWAS by
presenting a credible transition plan and requesting support in counterterrorism,
electoral management, and post-conflict recovery.

Moreover, the economic case for a return to democracy is overwhelming. Political
instability and sanctions have severely disrupted Burkina Faso’s trade flows, access
to financial aid, and investor confidence.

Membership in ECOWAS and closer ties with the international community unlock preferential trade agreements, development funding, and regional market access critical for post-conflict reconstruction.

Democratic legitimacy would open doors to concessional financing, boost agricultural
and mining exports, and attract responsible investment, enabling the country to
leverage its vast human and natural resources more effectively. No successful
economic renaissance can thrive in an environment of isolation and uncertainty.

Finally, Captain Traoré must recognize that international legitimacy strengthens
national sovereignty rather than undermines it. Strategic partnerships, not
submission, should be the goal. Burkina Faso needs a balanced diplomatic offensive
rooted in its best interests. There cannot be a better way to achieve this than
reassuring traditional partners, while exploring new ones.

Hope Rooted in Action
Burkina Faso today stands at a crossroads. Captain Traoré’s popularity, earned
through courage and defiance, grants him a historic opportunity few leaders are
given: the chance to build a new, resilient democracy that is both sovereign and
accountable. But goodwill is finite. Without tangible steps toward democratic
governance, economic revitalization, and regional reintegration, today’s hope risks
mutating into tomorrow’s regret. Africa, and Burkina Faso in particular, needs leaders
who can defeat terrorism and poverty without defeating democracy in the process.
The world is watching. But more importantly, so are the good Burkinabé people.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR – HON COLLINS NWEKE BASED IN BELGIUM

The author, Collins Nweke is a former Green Councillor at Ostend City Council, Belgium, where he served three consecutive terms until December 2024. He is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Public Management of Nigeria and the Institute of Management Consultants.

He is also a Distinguished Fellow of the International Association of Research Scholars and Administrators, where he serves on its Governing Council. He writes from Brussels, Belgium.
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