Timbuktu Institute – Week 4 - January 2026

The last week of January was marked by institutional tightening at the national level. Indeed, the national context, marked by pressing terrorist threats and internal and external attempts at destabilization, led the authorities to dissolve all political parties and their activities throughout the country. This decision was announced on the evening of Thursday, January 29, during the Council of Ministers meeting, by the Minister of State, Minister of Territorial Administration and Mobility of Burkina Faso, Émile Zérbo. According to him, political parties have "promoted division among citizens, contributed to the weakening of the social fabric, and created unbalanced development across the country." The government thus appears to be questioning the structuring role of political parties, highlighting their harmful effects on national cohesion and stability. This is why the decree dissolving all political parties and repealing the regulations governing them was adopted, resulting in the transfer of their assets to the central government. This decision raises the nagging question of political freedom since the new military authorities came to power, who seem determined to rebuild the state and reduce the political space.

Damiba's extradition: tighter security and risks of internal tensions

Meanwhile, Damiba's extradition has been a major news story in the country. The former head of the 2022 junta, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, has been handed over to the Burkinabe authorities, and the handling of this case has attracted a great deal of attention. Since this event, a series of arrests has been observed in military circles, but also among certain civilians suspected of having collaborated with the former head of state. In addition, high-ranking figures have been placed under surveillance, and some of them have been repatriated outside the country. Some observers see this as a veritable manhunt that could create new internal conflicts. The authorities claimed to have foiled several plots targeting senior officials in early January; these announcements were used to justify arrests and increased security around major cities.

Management of security emergencies and risk of urban tensions

At the same time, armed violence and the expansion of uncontrolled areas, particularly in the north and east, continue to affect the security situation, despite the progress made. The military government's work therefore combines security imperatives with the management of civil liberties, which is considered restrictive. In the coming days, we can expect to see tighter administrative and judicial controls on political actors and dissident NGOs, as well as a high risk of localized episodes of tension around major cities in the form of demonstrations.