Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Interim President of Burkina Faso
The Africa Institute on Governance and Security (AIGS) has commended Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Interim President of Burkina Faso, for his efforts at addressing the country’s security and economic challenges.
However, in a statement dated April 24, 2025, and made available to GhanaWeb, the institute emphasised that sustainable stability and prosperity can only be achieved through inclusive, transparent, and democratic governance.
“We applaud Captain Traoré’s initiatives to strengthen Burkina Faso’s security apparatus through local recruitment, training, and the establishment of the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), which have aimed to restore territorial integrity in the face of relentless extremist violence,” the statement said.
AIGS has proposed several steps to support Burkina Faso’s return to democratic rule, including establishing a clear transition roadmap, strengthening independent institutions, and prioritising constitutional reform.
“The Africa Institute on Governance and Security acknowledges the complexity of Burkina Faso’s challenges, including the jihadist insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions. We believe that Captain Traoré’s leadership, with its focus on national resilience and Pan-African solidarity, can serve as a catalyst for transformative change.
“However, true stability and progress depend on transitioning from military rule to a democratic system that reflects the will of the Burkinabé people. By implementing these steps, Captain Traoré has the opportunity to cement his legacy not only as a revolutionary leader but as a statesman who guided Burkina Faso toward a prosperous, democratic future,” it added.
The institute urged Traoré to reaffirm his commitment to restoring constitutional rule and called on the international community to support the transition process.
“We call on the international community, including the African Union, United Nations, and Civil Society Organisations, to support Burkina Faso in this critical juncture by providing resources, expertise, and diplomatic engagement to facilitate a smooth and inclusive transition. The AIGS stands ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to advance governance, security, and democratic principles in Burkina Faso and across the continent,” it stressed.
The AIGS further expressed concern about the potential erosion of democratic norms due to the extension of the transitional period to 2029 and the prioritisation of security over elections.
“However, while we recognise the necessity of decisive action in times of crisis, the Africa Institute on Governance and Security firmly believes that sustainable stability and prosperity can only be achieved through inclusive, transparent, and democratic governance. Military rule, no matter how well-intentioned, is inherently fragile and risks fostering cycles of instability, as history has shown in Burkina Faso and across the Sahel. The extension of the transitional period to 2029, following national consultations in May 2024, and the decision to prioritize security over elections, while understandable given the ongoing insurgency, raise concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and the potential for prolonged junta rule.
“The AIGS respectfully urges Captain Traoré to reaffirm his commitment to restoring constitutional and democratic rule, as initially pledged, to ensure Burkina Faso’s long-term political stability, legitimacy, and international credibility,” it indicated.
The institute believes that true stability and progress depend on transitioning from military rule to a democratic system that reflects the will of the Burkinabé people.
MRA/AE
Meanwhile, catch up on the concluding part of the story of Fort William, where children were sold in exchange for kitchenware, others, below: