Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso’s status declined from Partly Free to Not Free due to two separate coups organized by the military in 2022 that plunged the country into political crisis, eliminating many of the significant political reforms implemented after the 2014–15 political transition. While civil society and organized labor remain strong forces for democracy, Burkinabè also face continued insecurity and violence from armed militant groups, militia groups, and government forces, displacing millions of people. Though the military’s justification for its two illegal seizures of power was to address growing security and humanitarian crises, insecurity worsened following the takeovers.