London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Feb 19, 2026

Burkina Faso in Crisis: The Perils and Promise of Military Rule

A deep-dive into the showdown between a military junta and the demands of a nation grappling with instability
In a dramatic twist of political turbulence, Burkina Faso's military junta recently dismissed the Prime Minister and dissolved the government, underscoring the volatile climate gripping this West African nation.

The upheaval in Burkina Faso is illustrative of a broader trend across West Africa, where military coups have surged, driven by a cocktail of extremist violence and public disenchantment with democratic regimes.

The junta came to power in twenty twenty-two with lofty promises of restoring order in a country besieged by escalating extremist threats.

However, the security landscape remains perilous, feeding criticisms that coups, while intended as swift recalibrations, rarely usher in lasting stability.

Critics note that such regime changes often intensify pre-existing issues, raising pertinent questions about the junta's efficacy.

Yet, one must consider the widespread public discontent catalyzing these coups.

Burkina Faso's citizens have felt marginalized by previous governments, perceived as ineffectual in delivering security and economic prosperity.

This sense of neglect has been adeptly exploited by a junta whose populism resonates, albeit controversially, with a populace yearning for change.

Nevertheless, the evidence in Burkina Faso paints a complex picture.

The military lacks the capacity to exert substantial control, leaving vast swathes of the nation beyond governmental reach.

Furthermore, protracted extensions of transitional periods and delays in proposed elections sow seeds of distrust, eroding democratic processes critical for sustainable engagement in nation-building.

Drawing back the lens to examine historical influences, the legacy of colonialism and continuous foreign interventions have fostered an environment where local governance struggles to take root.

Recent moves by Burkina Faso to detach itself from its Western allies add a layer of geopolitical tension, suggesting that internal strife is compounded by external dynamics.

While Burkina Faso's rejection of global norms under the leadership of figures like Traoré risks alienating vital international partners, the agency of the Burkinabe people remains a beacon of hope.

Harnessing their resilience through reforms that genuinely reflect indigenous values could be pivotal.

The crux of the matter lies in transitioning from military dominance to authentic democratic representation.

Sustainable change emerges from consensus, empowerment, and adherence to the rule of law.

As Burkina Faso navigates this treacherous path, the words of Nelson Mandela serve as a poignant reminder: 'It always seems impossible until it's done.' In unity and perseverance lies the potential for peace and progress.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Unitree Robotics founder Wang Xingxing showcases future robot deployment during Spring Festival Gala.
UK Inflation Slows Sharply in January, Strengthening Case for Bank of England Rate Cut
Hide the truth, fake the facts, pretend the opposite, Britain is as usual
France President Macron says Free Speech is Bull Sh!t
Viktor Orbán getting massive praise for keeping Hungary safe, rich and migrant-free!
UK Inflation Falls to Ten-Month Low, Markets Anticipate Interest Rate Cut
UK House Prices Climb 2.4% in December as Market Shows Signs of Stabilisation
BAE Systems Predicts Sustained Expansion as Defence Orders Reach Record High
Pro-Palestine Activists Cleared of Burglary Charges Over Break-In at UK Israeli Arms Facility
Former Reform UK Councillors Form New Local Group Amid Party Fragmentation
Reform UK Pledges to Retain Britain’s Budget Watchdog as It Seeks Broader Economic Credibility
Miliband Defends UK-California Clean Energy Pact After Sharp Criticism by Trump
University of Kentucky to Host 2026 Summer Camps Fair Connecting Families with Local Programmes
UK Police Forces Assess Claims Jeffrey Epstein Used Stansted Airport Flights in Trafficking Network
UK-Focused Equity ETF FLGB Climbs to Fresh 52-Week Peak on Strong Market Sentiment
Trump Warns UK’s Chagos Islands Agreement Is a “Big Mistake” Amid Strategic Security Debate
Trump Urges UK to Retain Sovereignty Over Diego Garcia Amid Strategic Concerns
Italian Police Arrest Man After Alleged Attempt to Abduct Toddler at Bergamo Supermarket, Child Hospitalised With Fractured Femur
Rupert Lowe wanted to deport rape gangs and the communities who protected them
Reform UK Appoints Former Conservative Minister Robert Jenrick as Finance Chief
UK Unemployment Rises to Highest in Nearly Five Years as Labour Market Weakens
Rupert Lowe Advocates for English-Only Use in the UK
US Successfully Transports Small Nuclear Reactor from California to Utah
South Korea's traditional sand wrestling sport ssireum faces declining interest at home
Japan outlawed Islam
Virginia Giuffre accuses Epstein of trafficking to powerful men for blackmail.
New Mexico lawmakers initiate investigation into Zorro Ranch linked to Jeffrey Epstein
British Tourist Arrested at Hong Kong Airport After Meltdown and Vandalism
The Spanish government has ordered prosecutors to investigate platforms X, Meta and TikTok for allegedly spreading AI-generated child sexual abuse material
European Commission Plans Purchase Incentives Limited to Vehicles Manufactured Largely in the EU
French District of Pas-de-Calais Introduces Immediate License Suspension for Drivers Using Mobile Phones
Volkswagen Targets €60 Billion in Cost Reductions as Sales Decline and Global Pressures Intensify
Nigel Farage Names Reform UK Frontbench Team and Signals Zero Tolerance for Internal Dissent
Qualcomm to Withdraw UK Lawsuit Over Smartphone Chip Royalty Dispute
Major UK Banks Explore Domestic Card Network to Rival Visa and Mastercard
Cold Health Alert Issued Across UK as Temperatures Drop Sharply
Nine-Year-Old Becomes First Child in UK to Undergo Groundbreaking Leg-Lengthening Surgery
UK Workers Face Stagnant Incomes and a Softening Labour Market as Unemployment Climbs
UK Passport Rules Tightened for British Dual Nationals Under New Travel Guidance
California Deepens Global Climate Alliance with New UK Pact and Major Clean-Tech Investment Drive
UK Supreme Court Tightens Rules on Use of ‘Milk’ and ‘Cheese’ Labels for Plant-Based Products
University of Kentucky Postpones Feb. 19 Law Enforcement Training Exercise in Lexington
‘The only thing illegal is Keir Starmer handing these islands to a country like Mauritius!’
JD Vance says Germany is “killing itself” by taking in millions of fake asylum seekers from culturally incompatible nations.
UK Markets Signal Opportunity as Starmer Confronts Intensifying Political Pressure
Trump Criticises Newsom’s UK Climate Pact, Defends Federal Authority Over Foreign Engagements
UK’s Top Prosecutor Says ‘No One Is Above the Law’ as Police Review Claims Against Ex-Prince Andrew
Businessman Adam Brooks weighs in on the reports that the US is set to help Hamit Coskun flee the UK, over free speech concerns
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi Releases 3.5 Million Pages of Jeffrey Epstein Case Files
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Comment on European allies report blaming Russia for killing late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny using toxin from poison dart frogs
×