Burkina Faso Military Government Unilaterally Dissolves All 100 Registered Political Parties, Dismantling Democratic Institutions

The military government of President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba has unilaterally dissolved all 100 registered political parties in Burkina Faso, effectively dismantling the country's democratic institutions. This move signals a stark turning point in Burkina Faso's fragile democracy and raises concerns about the erosion of democratic principles and human rights.

The dissolution of political parties is part of a larger trend of authoritarianism and democratic erosion in West Africa, with Guinea's military junta dissolving 107 political parties in October 2024 citing concerns over proliferation leading to divisions and abuses. Niger withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2025, citing French influence and a desire to pursue its own path.