Burkina Faso's military leader Ibrahim Traoré told the country's state broadcaster that citizens should abandon hopes for democracy, declaring that "we must tell the truth, democracy isn't for us."

Traoré seized power in September 2022 through a military coup that overthrew another junta that had itself taken control just nine months earlier. The back-to-back coups have left the West African nation under continuous military rule since early 2022.

Since consolidating power, Traoré has systematically dismantled democratic institutions and political opposition. In January, his administration banned all political parties outright, effectively eliminating organized political dissent in the country.

The military government has also moved to suppress other forms of opposition, stifling critics and civil society organizations. Traoré's latest comments represent his most direct rejection of democratic governance since taking power.

Burkina Faso has experienced significant political instability in recent years, with the country facing ongoing security challenges from armed groups operating in the Sahel region. The military has justified its interventions partly on grounds of addressing these security concerns that previous civilian governments struggled to manage.