Burkina Faso's military leader, Capt Ibrahim Traoré, has declared that democracy is not for his country and that the people must "forget about it," suggesting a departure from the West's political system.

• Capt Ibrahim Traoré, the military ruler of Burkina Faso, stated that democracy "kills" and is not suited for Africans.
• The junta's previous pledge to restore democratic rule by July 2024 has been superseded by a decision to extend their rule for another five years and a ban on all political parties.
• Traoré cited Libya as a negative example of Western-imposed democracy, claiming such endeavors are "always accompanied by bloodshed."
• Despite suppressing dissent, Traoré has garnered a following for his pan-Africanist stance and criticism of Western influence, while ongoing violence has resulted in over 1,800 civilian deaths since he seized power in 2023.