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Burkina Faso's military leader, Ibrahim Traoré
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Ouagadougou - Burkina Faso's military leader, Ibrahim Traoré, has dismissed Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela and dissolved the government, according to a presidential decree obtained by AFP on Friday. Kyelem de Tambela had served as head of three successive governments, weathering multiple reshuffles since his appointment in October 2022 following the coup that brought Traoré to power. No official reason has been provided for his removal. The decree stated that the prime minister’s functions have been "terminated" and added that members of the dissolved government will continue managing ongoing affairs until a new administration is formed.
Kyelem de Tambela
Burkina Faso has experienced considerable political instability since January 2022, when Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba seized power in a coup. Less than a year later, Damiba was ousted by Traoré, who now leads the ruling junta. Damiba, who had previously overthrown elected President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, is currently in exile in neighboring Togo. Under Traoré's leadership, Burkina Faso has emphasized restoring national sovereignty and has frequently criticized Western powers. The country has also realigned its alliances, strengthening ties with Mali and Niger, both of which are governed by military juntas after a series of coups since 2020.
In September, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), marking a break from their colonial ties with France and moving closer to Russia.
Once a French colony, Burkina Faso gained independence in the mid-20th century, but relations with France have deteriorated sharply since the 2022 coup.
Source: AFP
