Burkina Faso’s military-led government has dissolved all political parties in the country, whose activities had remained suspended since the junta seized power in 2022.

The decision was announced on Thursday following a cabinet meeting chaired by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who took power in a September 2022 coup after overthrowing a previous military regime. Since assuming office, Traoré’s administration has tightened restrictions on political activities and dissent.

Before the latest move, political parties had been barred from holding public gatherings but were still permitted to operate internally.

In a statement released after the meeting, the presidency said, “The government believes that the proliferation of political parties has led to abuses, fuelled divisions among citizens and weakened the social fabric.”

Territorial Administration Minister, Emile Zerbo, disclosed that a draft law formalising the dissolution would be forwarded to the Transitional Legislative Assembly “as soon as possible.” He added that the assets of the dissolved parties would be transferred to the state.

According to Zerbo, the decision is aimed at “preserving national unity, strengthening the coherence of government action and paving the way for reforming political governance.”

The move effectively disbands about 100 political parties, including 15 that currently have representation in parliament.

Captain Traoré came to power after ousting Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who had ruled for only nine months following an earlier coup. Damiba later fled into exile in Togo and was repeatedly accused by the military authorities of plotting coups and assassination attempts.

Earlier this month, Togolese authorities extradited Damiba back to Burkina Faso, amid heightened political tensions in the country.