After the coup at the end of September, the new executive of Burkina Faso is now known. The president of the transition, captain Ibrahim Traoré appointed Tuesday evening a government of 23 ministers, including three soldiers, to lead the country until the return to a constitutional order, in July 2024. Friday, captain Ibrahim Traoré had appointed as Prime Minister Appolinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tembela, a 64-year-old lawyer, who until then headed the Center for International and Strategic Research, a think tank.
Colonel-Major Kassoum Coulibaly has been appointed Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, a key post in this country plagued by deadly jihadist violence. Two other officers enter this government: Colonel Boukare Zoungrana, who inherits the portfolio of Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Security and Colonel Augustin Kaboré in the Environment, according to a decree read on public television.
Colonel Zoungrana was until now commander of the Patriotic Watch and Defense Brigade (BVDP) which coordinates the actions of volunteers for the defense of the homeland, civilian auxiliaries of the army.
Only five women among ministers
Five ministers who were already in government under Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the president overthrown by the military coup, have been reappointed to this new cabinet which has five women. They are Bassolma Bazié (Civil Service), Olivia Rouamba (Foreign Affairs) and her Deputy Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, Robert Lucien Kargougou (Health), and Aminata Zerbo (Digital Transition).
On October 14, a charter was adopted providing for the establishment of a government not exceeding 25 members and a legislative assembly of 71 members. This charter indicates that the mandate of the transitional president must end with the holding of a presidential election scheduled for July 2024.