Burkina Faso: Moving Towards Adoption of Reforms Proposed by Stakeholders to Deputies
Following his rise to power, President of the Transition, Ibrahim Traoré, has shown his determination to approach governance differently to propel the country toward development. He initiated a series of changes in politics, institutions, the economy, society, and administration. To make these changes, the government asked for input from various groups to gather their opinions.
Members of the Transitional Legislative Assembly (LAT) met on Friday, September 22, 2023, to present a report on these discussions held across the country’s regions. These regional talks focused on political, institutional, and administrative changes proposed by the transition government.
Different groups shared their suggestions with the lawmakers, who put them in a report for the government. Notably, these groups supported removing institutions like the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), the Economic and Social Council, the Ombudsman of Burkina Faso, and the High Court of Justice.
They also favored adopting a new constitution, banning and penalizing homosexuality, making the military less political, limiting the number of political parties, and recognizing dowry and traditional and religious marriages to strengthen families, among other ideas.
Each of the 21 reforms proposed by the government during the transition period received feedback from groups across the thirteen regions. These groups expressed support, with opinions ranging from 61% to 100% in favor of the government’s proposed reforms.
The Transitional Legislative Assembly made four recommendations, two for the government and two for the parliamentary institution. For the government, the recommendations include considering the opinions and concerns from discussions with groups when finalizing reform projects and identifying and implementing reforms that can be achieved within the remaining time of the transition.
We hope that the government will approve these ideas so they can be adopted.
