It has been a year since Captain Ibrahim Traore became the leader of Burkina Faso following a military coup. Upon assuming power, Captain Traore had set a goal of enhancing security and reclaiming control of areas occupied by armed groups in the West African country.

Militant attacks have caused thousands of deaths while more than two million people have been displaced in Burkina Faso since 2015 when the violence spilled over from neighbouring Mali and Niger. Traore had promised to reverse the trend in a few months.

By the end of August 2023, the government announced the successful return of over 190,000 of those displaced to their original communities. But the security situation remains precarious.

Captain Traore himself has said ''we are at war'' referring to the violence. He suggested the insecurity could prevent the country from conducting elections scheduled for next year.

He told journalists on his one year anniversary that the elections were ''not a priority'' and that the was ensuring security to ensure candidates are able to travel across the country to campaign.

Although under the transitional plan he was not expected to contest in the election, he hinted at changing the constitution which could allow him to stand in the elections.

This is coming amid deteriorating relations between Burkina Faso and its former colonial ruler, France with France. The West African country under Traore's junta expelled French troops in February 2023. The junta is strengthening ties with Russia, a major Western rival.

One major decision taken by Burkina Faso along with neighbouring Mali and Niger both also led by military rulers is the signing of a mutual defence pact known as the Alliance of Sahel States as antiFrench sentiment grows across the region.

So how has Burkina Faso fared in Traore's first year as leader?

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