OUAGADOUGOU — The government of Burkina Faso has proposed a significant constitutional amendment that would authorize the National Assembly to approve agreements establishing a Federation, Confederation, or the country’s entry into a union of states at the African level, in exceptional circumstances.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the government aims to amend Article 147 of the Constitution by adding a provision that would allow the National Assembly to approve such agreements, pending the opinion of the Constitutional Council. Traditionally, Article 147 stipulates that such agreements could only be ratified through a referendum, reflecting the principle that national sovereignty belongs to the people.

Minister of Justice Rodrigue Bayala stated that while the referendum process will remain intact as the primary method for ratification, the proposed amendment would provide flexibility for the state to act swiftly in emergency situations or under circumstances of force majeure.