Ibrahim Traoré, the military ruler of Brkina Faso, was a charismatic 37-year-old who cleverly established the role of a Pan-African leader, determined to free his country from his country due to the constraints of Western imperialism and neo-colonialism.
His message resonated in Africa and beyond, and his admirers saw him as the footsteps of African heroes such as Brkina Faso’s own Thomas Sankara, a Marxist revolutionary who was sometimes called “Che Guevara of Africa.”
“Traoré has a great influence. I have even heard of politicians and authors from countries like Kenya and other countries. [in East Africa] Say: 'That's it. Beverly Ochieng, a senior researcher at global consulting firms to control risks, told the BBC that he is a man.
“His message reflects the age we live in, many Africans are questioning their relationship with the West and why so much poverty remains on such a rich continent,” she said.
After the coup in 2022, the Trare regime abandoned former colonial power France in favor of a strong alliance with Russia, including the deployment of Russian paramilitary brigades and the adoption of left-wing economic policies.
This includes the establishment of a state-owned mining company, requiring foreign companies to take 15% of their stake in local operations and transferring skills to the Burkinabé people.
The rule also applies to Russian miner Nordgold, who obtained a license to invest in the latest investment in the gold industry in Burkina Faso in late April.
As part of what Traoré calls the “revolution” to ensure Burkina Faso benefits from its mineral wealth, the military government has also built a gold refinery and established a national gold reserve for the first time in the country's history.
However, Western-owned companies appear to be facing tough times, with Australian-based Salama Resources launching an arbitration process against Burkina Faso in the second half of 2024 after revoking the exploration license.
The junta also nationalized two gold mines previously owned by London-listed companies and said last month it plans to control more foreign mines.
South African Institute of Security Research Institute researchers Enoch Randy Aikins told the BBC that Traoré's radical reforms have increased his popularity in Africa.
“He is now arguably the most popular president in Africa, if not the most popular president,” Aegins said.
Research shows that support for Western-style democracy has declined. [AFP]
His popularity has attracted popularity through social media, including many misleading posts designed to enhance his revolutionary image.
AI-generated videos of music stars like R Kelly, Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Beyoncé immortalized him through songs – even though they did nothing.
Ms Ochin said Traoré first caught the attention of Africans when he spoke at the Russian-Africa Summit in 2023, telling African leaders to “stop behaving like puppets every time the imperialists pull the strings”.
The speech was widely promoted by the Russian media, which has become a major player in promoting the image of Pan-Africanism in Traoré.
Ms Ochieng noted that his appeal is everywhere, including African Americans and Black British, because of his remarks and being driven by a sophisticated social media campaign.
“Everyone who has experienced racism, colonialism and slavery can be related to his message,” Ms. Ochieng said.
But the French president is not a fan, describing Trarel as part of a “baroque alliance between self-proclaimed Pan-Africa and neo-imperialists.”
Emmanuel Macron also refers to his accusation of Russia and China in his 2023 speech, who caused a coup in the former French colony in Africa and hypocritically inspired old arguments about sovereignty and colonial exploitation.
Despite his failure to fulfill his promise, his reputation remains, despite his failure to fulfill his promise to quell the 10-year Islamic rebellion, which exacerbated racial divisions and has now spread to once peaceful neighbors like Benin.
His military government also dissented, including opposition, media and civil society groups, and punished critics, including medical staff and magistrates by sending them to the frontlines of war against jihadists.
Thomas Sankara was killed in 1987 and was praised by supporters for her integrity and selflessness – still an idol for many in Africa [AFP]
For Rinaldo DePagne, deputy director of Africa at the International Crisis Group think tank, Traoré mastered this support because “he was young, in a young population” – the median age was 17.7 years old.
“He is media savvy and uses the past to build his visibility as the reincarnation of Sankara,” he told the BBC.
“And he knows the art of politics – how to make a country feel like a bright future completely traumatized by war. He's really good at that game.”
Sankara took power in a coup at 33 in 1983, called with the motto of “Motherland or Death, We Will Win”, and four years later, another coup placed Brkina Faso on French political track until Traoré's power was seized.
Ghanaian security analyst Professor Kwesi Aning, who previously worked at the Kofi Annan International Weelcepecmeing training center, said the popularity of military leaders reflects the political shifts on the continent, especially in West Africa.
A 2024 survey conducted by AfroBarometer in 39 countries showed support for democracy declined, although it remains the most popular form of government.
Professor Aning told the BBC: “Democracy does not bring hope to young people. It does not provide jobs or better education and health.”
Traoré, he said, “provides another option to recapture the spirit of two historical eras”:
Captain Traoré can chat with people easily – March chats with agricultural workers here [Ibrahim Traoré/X]
It was Traoré who stole the show at the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Mahama in January when he arrived in battle fatigue with a pistol.
Professor Anning said: “There are already 21 heads of state there, but when Traoré walked in, the place illuminated. Even my president's bodyguard was following him.”
Traoré has provided a distinct image to some leaders on the continent who struggled to walk but took power by manipulating elections.
“Traoré is stylish and confident, with a very open face and a smile. He is also a powerful speaker and shows himself as a person.”
To show that his Russian military government has made some progress in economic development, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank generally conducted an optimistic assessment.
The IMF said in a statement in early April that despite a “challenging humanitarian and security environment,” the economy is expected to remain “strong” in 2025, with the regime increasing its spending on education, health and social protection.
As for the World Bank, it said inflation surged from 0.7% in 2023 to 4.2% in 2024, but extreme poverty refers to people living in less than $2.15. [£1.61] The day fell nearly 2 percentage points to 24.9% due to “strong growth” in the agriculture and services sectors.
Despite these reports from U.S. financial institutions, relations with France and the United States remain cold.
A recent example is the claim of US African commander Gen Michael Langley that Traoré is using Burkina Faso’s gold reserves to protect his military government rather than the interests of the country.
This seems to be a reference to the long-term view of the United States and its African allies that Russian forces are supporting Traoré in exchange for stake in the gold industry in Burkina Faso, which undermines the image of a military ruler, a leader who expels French troops in 2023 to regain the country's sovereignty.
General Langley's comments, which were made at a U.S. Senate committee hearing in early April, sparked a stir among the captain's supporters who felt their heroes were being discredited.
Shortly thereafter, the Burkinabé military government said it had foiled a coup, which further inflamed, accusing the mastermind of the adjacent Ivory Coast – General Langley, who visited later.
A huge rally was held in Ouagadougou on April 30 to support Captain Traoré – and other cities around the world, including London [AFP]
Ivory Coast denies participating in any plot, while the US Africa Command said General Langley’s visit focused on responding to “common security challenges”, including “violent extremism.”
However, the junta took the opportunity to organize one of the largest gatherings in the capital of Burkina Faso because of fears that the “imperialists” and their “lackeys” were trying to destroy the captain.
“Iraq was destroyed due to Colin Powell's lies. Barack Obama lied and Gaddafi was killed. But this time, their lies won't affect us.”
On the same day, a rally with Traoré was also held abroad, including in London.
He later posted on social media in French and English to express his gratitude for their vision of sharing his vision “New Burkina Faso and New Africa”, adding: “In unity, we will defeat imperialism and neocolonialism to defeat free, dignity, dignity and archbishop Africa”.
It is impossible to say how the young captain will end, but he, along with the military leaders of Mali and Niger, would surely shock West Africa, while other states followed their example and ordered French troops to leave.
The three military-ruled neighbors also withdraw from regional trade and security groups, establish their own alliances, and end free trade in the region by announcing a 0.5% tariff on goods entering the country.
Mr. Aykins said Traoré could learn from others, noting that when Rawlings was in power in Ghana at the age of 32, he was called “Juvenile Jesus” but 19 years later he left a mixed legacy – despite helping to establish “lasting” democracy, he still couldn't stop corruption.
Mr Aikins said that for a “lasting legacy” Traoré should focus on achieving peace and establishing strong state institutions to achieve good governance rather than “personalized” power and suppression of dissent.
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