Regression of Democracy in Burkina Faso and Its Impact on the Country’s Foreign Policy

Abstract

The persistent erosion of democratic norms after military coups in Burkina Faso has reached a critical point, fundamentally altering the nation’s domestic governance and its perception within the international community. Since the dual military coups of 2022, the transition from a fragile electoral democracy to a consolidated junta under Captain Ibrahim Traoré has been defined by the systematic dismantling of civic space, most notably evidenced by the January 2026 decree dissolving all political parties. This internal democratic peril, driven by a narrative of “security first” amidst an extremist insurgency, has directly catalyzed a radical shift in Burkinabe foreign policy. Burkina Faso has pivoted away from traditional Western security frameworks and regional blocs, exemplified by its formal withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2025 and the expulsion of French diplomatic and military personnel. In their place, Burkina Faso has embraced a doctrine of “sovereign self-reliance” and “Pan-Africanist autonomy”, formalizing the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) alongside Mali and Niger. This realignment is also fostering deeper military and economic dependence on Russia and the Wagner Group (now Africa Corps) to fill the security vacuum. Ultimately, the Burkinabe case illustrates a growing trend in Africa, where the sacrifice of democratic pluralism is being leveraged for political survival. This study argues that as the junta becomes further entrenched, Burkina Faso’s foreign policy will increasingly function as a tool for regime preservation, potentially leading to long-term regional isolation from Western powers and the reconfiguration of geopolitical influence in favor of Russia and China in Burkina Faso and West Africa.

Keywords

• Africa
• Burkina Faso
• Democratic Deficit
• Military Rule
• West Africa

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