Captain Ibrahim Traoré announces a partial modification of the Constitution

He spoke in a national television interview. Ibrahim Traoré announced a partial modification of the Constitution in Burkina Faso, Friday September 29. Nearly a year after coming to power in a coup, the captain also said the country’s elections were not “a priority”. “Safety is the priority”in this country undermined by jihadist violence, he responded to journalists about elections theoretically scheduled for July 2024.

Several thousand people demonstrated in the country on Friday in support of the military regime, calling for the adoption of a new Constitution.

“We have to ensure security”

“The current texts do not allow us to evolve peacefully”replied Ibrahim Traoré to journalists about a possible change to the Burkinabe fundamental law. “We are going to touch a shutter” and make a “partial modification” of the Constitution, he added, deploring a text which reflects, according to him, “the opinion of a handful of enlightened people”to the detriment of a “popular mass”.

Asked about the attempted coup d’état revealed Wednesday by the government, before the arrest of four officers – two others are on the run -, Ibrahim Traoré mentioned “manipulated individuals”asserting that there was no “no discomfort” in the army.

If the elections do not constitute “a priority”Ibrahim Traoré nevertheless added that “our bet still stands” to organize a vote, without specifying a date. “We have to ensure security” And “people will be able to move freely, go wherever they want to campaign and there, allow all Burkinabè to choose their president”he promised.