"As a child, the Africa I saw on TV showed one narrative: children surrounded by flies, barren lands, weapons, death...they said this was Africa. And we believed it. We felt shame about our land, about our people."
"But as I grew, I researched, I questioned. I understood the Africa we were shown was not real. The stories we were told were lies. The fate intended for us was scripted. It was one they created. For years, how Africa was portrayed, how it was sold to its audiences..."
"As if humanity left us behind. As if we were savages abandoned in the race for civilization. As if we awaited your rescue."
"Every day, every hour, every minute, the same tale dominated your screens—hunger, war, disease, corruption, chaos—triggers that shape minds when speaking of Africa. No other words exist in your Africa dictionary."
"No hope, no success, no progress, no defiance, no pride, no dignity, no triumph..."
These resounding words of rebellion and discontent belong to a young African military commander who, after a revolutionary coup, became the leader of his land, Ibrahim Traore. Now, as Burkina Faso's president, his impassioned speech at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York highlighted a renewed African spirit.
This address was so pivotal because it echoed the visionary ideals of a young soldier determined to redefine Africa’s destiny.
As the 37-year-old embodies the voice of an awakened Africa, questions of power and partnership have become increasingly complex. In May 2025, when Traore met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss security and economic collaboration, it caused a stir in the West. Traore's alignment with Russia over traditional allies like France and the USA signifies a tectonic shift in Africa’s geopolitical landscape.
Ibrahim Traore's political evolution portrays the saga of an emerging leader walking the tumultuous paths of African politics, with dreams daring enough to redefine its future.
Source: aajtak
Though warmly regarded as a quiet and intelligent student, Traore chose to carve his destiny by diverging from anticipated paths. In 2006, he began studying geology at the University of Ouagadougou. Despite the allure of the rich gold deposits within Burkina Faso's arid lands, it was the army that captured his ambition.
His unconventional choice sparked curiosity among locals, encapsulating a message that Ibrahim was set on a road less traveled, distinct from his peers. Further training in Morocco and participation in UN peace missions in Mali evolving his military experience became his calling card.
Appointed as Lieutenant in 2014 and Captain in 2020, Traore's encounters in Northern Burkina Faso against jihadists, amidst disillusionment over scant resources and top-level corruption, invigorated his revolutionary aspirations.
The Advent of a Coup
In September 2022, the echoes of gunfire in Ouagadougou marked the dawn of a new era as Captain Ibrahim Traore, alongside his fellow soldiers, executed a coup. Overthrowing interim president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, Traore declared himself the new leader of Burkina Faso. It was not just a mere transfer of power, but an emerging signal of change for an Africa long besieged by corruption and poverty.
Dominion Over Burkina Faso's Political Landscape
Facing two colossal challenges—the fury against a corrupt democracy and foreign intervention—Traore committed to dismantle these structures from the onset. The swift reforms post-power shift saw Burkina Faso retake control from former colonial ruler France: French troops were ousted, and media like France 24 and Radio France International were banned.
Traore labeled these outlets symbols of neo-colonialism and sought alliances with nations like Russia, Turkey, and Cuba. His policies hinged on self-reliance, nationalizing two gold mines, and announcing Burkina Faso's first gold refinery, all pivoting exports from raw to refined gold.
A Disciple of Thomas Sankara
Drawing inspiration from the 1980s Marxist revolutionary Thomas Sankara, Traore rejected foreign aid, articulating, "He who feeds you controls you." Like his idol, he empowered farmers with free tractors, raised wages, and invested in infrastructure like new airports and rural roads, rendering him a hero among the youth.
Zero Tolerance Against Terrorism
Traore’s robust stance against Islamic terrorism, influenced by his military backdrop and Pan-African ideals, has been both assertive and intricate. His military operations focused against groups like Al-Qaeda’s JNIM and ISGS were accelerated post-takeover.
Pre-2022, as a military officer, his campaigns in Northern Burkina were marked by violence claiming thousands of lives. Traore sought reinforcement through volunteer defense force formation and equipping local communities. While controversial, Human Rights Watch accused his army of excesses—over 100 civilian deaths during anti-terror endeavors in May 2025. Traore dismissed these as Western propaganda.
A Vehement Critique of Western Colonialism
Traore’s imperative legacy lies in his championing of Pan-African thought and open opposition to Western colonialism. He criticized France-controlled currency as an instrument of African bondage, advocating for a new currency. Together with Mali and Niger, he formed the Sahel State Alliance (AES), symbolizing a shift from Western-backed ECOWAS toward African unification and autonomy.
His rhetoric against Western powers, especially France and the USA, is sharpened by Burkina Faso's colonial history under French rule from 1896 to 1960, whose colonial aftermath still looms over its economic straits.
Strategic Alliance with Putin
The camaraderie between young President Traore and Russia's Vladimir Putin raised eyebrows. In May 2025, as Moscow celebrated its 80th anniversary defeating the Nazis, Traore was a guest of honor. His visit resonated across Africa, highlighting his ethos of intellectual independence.
This bold call for young Africans to liberate themselves from
