Junta Rule and Recent Coups

In January 2022, army officers ousted elected President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, forming the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR). Eight months later, in September 2022, Capt. Ibrahim Traoré seized power in a second coup, promising to combat Islamist insurgents but extending transitional rule repeatedly.

By 2025, the junta has abused emergency laws to detain critics, journalists, and opposition figures without trial. Conscription measures silence dissent, while new family laws spark controversy. The African Union urges reconsideration of exits from regional courts by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

These power consolidations prioritize military control over democratic transitions, fueling international isolation and domestic unrest.

Jihadist Violence and Abuses

Islamist armed groups, state forces, and pro-government militias perpetrate widespread atrocities. In October 2025, forces and militias killed over 130 civilians in reprisals, prompting calls for African Union accountability. Islamist reprisals at Barsalogho constitute war crimes, per human rights monitors.

The junta's December 8, 2025, restoration of the death penalty signals a hardline shift amid rising insecurity. Secretary-General reports highlight child abuses, with thousands recruited or victimized. Greater regional efforts are needed to protect civilians in the Sahel.

Humanitarian needs surge, with displacement affecting millions and aid access hindered by violence.

Travel Ban and US Tensions

On December 31, 2025, Burkina Faso and Mali imposed entry restrictions on US citizens, retaliating against President Trump's expanded travel ban targeting nearly 40 countries, including African nations like Niger and Sierra Leone. The juntas' foreign ministries cited 'equivalent measures' to counter US policies barring nationals who 'intend to threaten' Americans.

This escalation underscores Sahel juntas' defiance of Western influence, prioritizing sovereignty amid EU calls for civilian safety. Travel advisories now warn of risks for Americans, impacting diplomacy and aid flows.

Broader implications include strained counter-terrorism cooperation, as Burkina Faso seeks Russian ties while shunning traditional partners.