Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has dismissed Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela and dissolved the government, according to a presidential decree reported by AFP on Friday.
The decree stated that the prime minister’s tenure has officially ended, with government members instructed to oversee ongoing affairs until a new cabinet is appointed. No reason was provided for Kyelem de Tambela’s removal, though he had led three successive governments since his appointment in October 2022, following the coup that brought Traoré to power.
Burkina Faso has endured political turbulence since January 2022, when Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba overthrew the elected government of Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. Damiba was later ousted by Traoré, who now leads the ruling junta.
Under Traoré’s leadership, Burkina Faso has focused on asserting national sovereignty, distancing itself from Western influence, particularly France, the country’s former colonial ruler. In collaboration with Mali and Niger—nations also governed by military juntas—Burkina Faso established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September, signaling a shift towards partnerships with Russia.
The political reshuffle underscores Burkina Faso’s ongoing alignment with regional allies, marking a significant chapter in its evolving governance and foreign relations strategy.
