He got all of the colonizer’s attention
- Thread starter easy_b
- Start date
lol someone was telling me about ole boy earlier this yr.. this is the first time I actually seen a pic of him and heard in more detail his accomplishments.. hey props to him and continue success of eliminating euro ties and colonialism
Burkina Faso: A nation under siege from within and without
12th May 2025
Captain Ibrahim Traore
Marcel Mbamalu
Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré has survived numerous assassination attempts since taking power in 2022, amid a complex web of internal betrayal, terrorist threats, and foreign interference. As the country navigates economic challenges and security concerns, questions arise about the role of external actors, particularly France and the US, in destabilising the region. Is Burkina Faso another case of Western interest derailing a progressive nation, or can Traoré’s government chart a path towards sovereignty and stability?
Many may see the truth behind thse assassination attempts as a complex web of internal betrayal, terrorist threats, and political instability.
Others may also assume a significant threat comes from jihadist groups, especially those linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, a transnational Salafi-jihadist terrorist organisation that once controlled large territories in Iraq and Syria and continues to inspire and conduct attacks worldwide.
But foreign interference further complicates the situation. Evidence suggests that certain foreign actors, notably from France and Ivory Coast, have supported destabilisation efforts to maintain their regional influence and counter Traoré’s push for national sovereignty.
Burkina Faso’s economy experienced significant shifts before and after President Ibrahim Traoré took power in 2022. Before then, the country enjoyed relatively strong GDP growth, averaging about 6 per cent annually from 2010 to 2019, driven mainly by services, agriculture, and gold mining. However, persistent insecurity, climate shocks, and a deteriorating security situation began to slow growth, with poverty rising from 41.4 per cent in 2018 to 43.2 per cent in 2021.
In 2022, the economy faced major challenges: GDP growth dropped to 1.8 per cent, inflation surged to 13.8 per cent, and the fiscal deficit widened to 10.7 per cent of the GDP. The mining and agricultural sectors were hit hard by insecurity, and the current account deficit worsened.
Since Traoré assumed office, the economy has shown signs of recovery. GDP growth rebounded to 3.6 per cent in 2023 and is projected to reach 4.1 per cent in 2024 and 4.3 per cent in 2025, supported by improvements in agriculture and rising gold prices.
Inflation has sharply decreased, falling to 0.9 per cent in 2023, though it is expected to rise moderately to around 2 per cent in 2024 and 2025. The government has implemented reforms to improve fiscal discipline and economic governance, but high security-related spending and vulnerability to climate and commodity shocks remain ongoing risks.
There is also clear evidence that Burkina Faso’s economy, especially its gold sector, has changed since Traoré became president, although not all trends are positive or straightforward.
Gold production, which is central to Burkina Faso’s economy, has faced both setbacks and reforms since 2022. After peaking at 67.1 tonnes in 2021, industrial gold output declined, reaching about 57–60 tonnes in 2023–2024 due to ongoing insecurity and terrorist threats that disrupted operations at several major mines. Despite these challenges, Traoré’s government has taken significant steps to increase state control over the mining sector, including nationalising some industrial mines and formalising artisanal mining.
Creating a national gold reserve and integrating previously informal artisanal mining into the formal economy are notable achievements. Over 11 tonnes of gold were collected in the first quarter of 2025 alone from these efforts. Amid all these efforts by the administration, protesters in France have been criticising the government.
The protesters showed concern about governance, resource management, and democratic rights.
However, the public, especially Africans, said it is also possible that some opposition voices abroad are amplified or influenced by political actors seeking to destabilise Traoré’s government, given the tense geopolitical climate and recent coup attempts, especially after accusations by US officials that Traoré’s junta was benefiting from gold revenues while ordinary people struggle.
While these protesters loudly criticise Traoré’s management of resources and governance, their demonstrations conspicuously avoid addressing Burkina Faso’s main and most urgent problem-insecurity.
If the diaspora protesters in France truly represented the core struggles of the Burkinabè people, their demands would focus on the fight against terrorism and the restoration of peace, which are the daily realities for families, farmers, teachers, and children back home.
Instead, their slogans and narratives echo with broader political talking points and concerns about resource management, which, while important, do not reflect the existential threat faced by citizens on the ground.
This disconnect strongly suggests that the protests are influenced, if not orchestrated, by external actors with their own agendas-particularly given France’s long history of involvement and attempts to maintain influence in the region.
It is also illogical to claim that those living comfortably in France feel the pain of Burkina Faso’s crisis more acutely than those enduring the insecurity, hardship, and uncertainty inside the country.
Related News
- ECOWAS to relocate Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso offices
- ECOWAS meets in Ghana over exit of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso
- Burkina Faso foils coup plot, blames exiled officers in Ivory Coast
Key rallies for Traoré include but not limited to: Jan 20, 2023 (anti-French protest); May 6, 2023 (nationwide pro-sovereignty march); Sept 26, 2023 (spontaneous night rally); Sept 29–30, 2023 (first coup anniversary); and Sept 30, 2024 (two-year milestone in Bobo-Dioulasso). All emphasised sovereignty, anti-interference, and security gains.
In contrast, the diaspora protests in France-often small in number-align with narratives historically promoted by foreign interests, rather than the immediate needs of the people in Burkina Faso.
During a US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on April 3, 2025, General Michael Langley, head of US Africa Command, accused Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré of misusing the country’s gold reserves. Langley claimed Traoré was using Burkina Faso’s estimated $4bn in gold reserves to protect and sustain his military regime, rather than for the benefit of the Burkinabè people.
He made those remarks in the context of broader US concerns about corruption, Chinese and Russian influence in Africa, and the diversion of mineral revenues to entrench military rulers.
The US interest in Burkina Faso is strategic. The country is a significant gold producer and occupies a key position in the Sahel, a region critical for US efforts to counter terrorism, limit Russian and Chinese influence, and secure access to vital minerals.
Can we say that the US is concerned that Burkina Faso under Traoré has expelled French troops, deepened ties with Russia (notably via the Wagner Group), and joined the Confederation of Sahel States with Mali and Niger, signalling a shift away from Western alliances. These moves threaten traditional Western influence and open the door for rival powers, prompting the US to scrutinise Burkina Faso’s leadership and resource management.
It is then clear that Langley’s statement and concern are similar to the voices of the French protesters. For this reason, it is crucial to understand such help that the West has rendered to African countries where there is a real dictatorship.
While the West has occasionally provided support for democratisation or humanitarian relief, its record in confronting real dictatorship in Africa is mixed. Interventions have often served Western interests first, sometimes even sustaining or enabling authoritarian rule rather than dismantling it.
For example, France has maintained deep military, political, and financial involvement in many of its former colonies, a dynamic that has been linked to instability and repeated coups in the so-called “Coup Belt” of West and Central Africa. Since 1990, 21 of the 27 coups in sub-Saharan Africa have occurred in former French colonies, raising questions about whether French influence has had a destabilising effect and whether it has at times propped up undemocratic leaders to protect its interests.
Also, during the Cold War, the West supported dictatorships in countries like Zaire (now the DRC) under Mobutu Seko and Uganda under Idi Amin, prioritising anti-communist alignment over democracy or human rights.
Is Burkina Faso another case of Western interest to derail a progressive nation, as was alleged about Nigeria (2014-2015), Libya in 2011, etc.?
With Western hypocrisy getting more and more obvious, the world should show more interest in saving Africa, which is at the receiving end of so much postcolonial interference that has damaged the continent. Nigeria is a sorry tale of this interference. Traore must not be killed, maimed, or forced from power. Western-made democracies around the world, e.g., Nigeria, have turned out to be monumental catastrophes.
The world must fundamentally rethink its approach to Africa, moving beyond paternalistic interventions and respecting African sovereignty. African nations, including Burkina Faso, deserve the right to determine their destinies without external manipulation, whether disguised as democracy promotion or counterterrorism.
Instead of imposing foreign models or supporting self-serving regimes, the international community should prioritise fair trade, debt relief, and investments that empower local communities.
The world owes Africa not just aid, but respect, space, and genuine partnership-allowing the continent to heal from exploitation and build a future on its terms. Let Africa breathe, and let Africa lead.
Dr Mbamalu, a Jefferson Journalism Fellow, member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and media consultant, is the publisher of Prime Business Africa
Kindly share this story:
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: theeditor@punchng.com
Burkina Faso: A nation under siege from within and without
Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré has survived numerous assassination attempts since taking power in 2022, amid a complex web of internal betrayal,
punchng.com
Last edited:
Are you aware that the NY Times pushed a story out that Iran was close to getting “The Bomb” recently? That's what they do. It's almost gratuitous to republican administrations.I remember believin as a youngin...that the u.s. was the good guys..News Flash: since this country's very inception...the u.s. has never been the good guys..
I don't know how a black man in America could think they were the good guys. The reason the Afrikaans are here is because of a study done here that was used to help set up white power on the home continent back in the day when WEB still had 30 years left on his contract.
We know how these stories end. Either he's Sankara or Mugabe. The question is: how many posters are willing to relocate to Burkino Faso and help them right now?
RIGHT, right now, right NOW? I got these bone spurs and I can't be traveling RIGHT, right now. But I am sure they'll clear up by the time running water and electricity and road infrastructure has been established...AND a legal tender that is able to support itself...AND a suitable night life and some kind of sports league...AND more white collar work is cemented...AND stable internet, I can't go without BGOL (porn). By tHen I'll be ready to roll up the sleeves and put in work!
Dude called it anti-West...its not...its pro Africa
Keep your eye on the Islamists as well...significant threat there tooBurkina Faso: A nation under siege from within and without
12th May 2025
Captain Ibrahim Traore
Marcel Mbamalu
Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré has survived numerous assassination attempts since taking power in 2022, amid a complex web of internal betrayal, terrorist threats, and foreign interference. As the country navigates economic challenges and security concerns, questions arise about the role of external actors, particularly France and the US, in destabilising the region. Is Burkina Faso another case of Western interest derailing a progressive nation, or can Traoré’s government chart a path towards sovereignty and stability?
Many may see the truth behind thse assassination attempts as a complex web of internal betrayal, terrorist threats, and political instability.
Others may also assume a significant threat comes from jihadist groups, especially those linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, a transnational Salafi-jihadist terrorist organisation that once controlled large territories in Iraq and Syria and continues to inspire and conduct attacks worldwide.
But foreign interference further complicates the situation. Evidence suggests that certain foreign actors, notably from France and Ivory Coast, have supported destabilisation efforts to maintain their regional influence and counter Traoré’s push for national sovereignty.
Burkina Faso’s economy experienced significant shifts before and after President Ibrahim Traoré took power in 2022. Before then, the country enjoyed relatively strong GDP growth, averaging about 6 per cent annually from 2010 to 2019, driven mainly by services, agriculture, and gold mining. However, persistent insecurity, climate shocks, and a deteriorating security situation began to slow growth, with poverty rising from 41.4 per cent in 2018 to 43.2 per cent in 2021.
In 2022, the economy faced major challenges: GDP growth dropped to 1.8 per cent, inflation surged to 13.8 per cent, and the fiscal deficit widened to 10.7 per cent of the GDP. The mining and agricultural sectors were hit hard by insecurity, and the current account deficit worsened.
Since Traoré assumed office, the economy has shown signs of recovery. GDP growth rebounded to 3.6 per cent in 2023 and is projected to reach 4.1 per cent in 2024 and 4.3 per cent in 2025, supported by improvements in agriculture and rising gold prices.
Inflation has sharply decreased, falling to 0.9 per cent in 2023, though it is expected to rise moderately to around 2 per cent in 2024 and 2025. The government has implemented reforms to improve fiscal discipline and economic governance, but high security-related spending and vulnerability to climate and commodity shocks remain ongoing risks.
There is also clear evidence that Burkina Faso’s economy, especially its gold sector, has changed since Traoré became president, although not all trends are positive or straightforward.
Gold production, which is central to Burkina Faso’s economy, has faced both setbacks and reforms since 2022. After peaking at 67.1 tonnes in 2021, industrial gold output declined, reaching about 57–60 tonnes in 2023–2024 due to ongoing insecurity and terrorist threats that disrupted operations at several major mines. Despite these challenges, Traoré’s government has taken significant steps to increase state control over the mining sector, including nationalising some industrial mines and formalising artisanal mining.
Creating a national gold reserve and integrating previously informal artisanal mining into the formal economy are notable achievements. Over 11 tonnes of gold were collected in the first quarter of 2025 alone from these efforts. Amid all these efforts by the administration, protesters in France have been criticising the government.
The protesters showed concern about governance, resource management, and democratic rights.
However, the public, especially Africans, said it is also possible that some opposition voices abroad are amplified or influenced by political actors seeking to destabilise Traoré’s government, given the tense geopolitical climate and recent coup attempts, especially after accusations by US officials that Traoré’s junta was benefiting from gold revenues while ordinary people struggle.
While these protesters loudly criticise Traoré’s management of resources and governance, their demonstrations conspicuously avoid addressing Burkina Faso’s main and most urgent problem-insecurity.
If the diaspora protesters in France truly represented the core struggles of the Burkinabè people, their demands would focus on the fight against terrorism and the restoration of peace, which are the daily realities for families, farmers, teachers, and children back home.
Instead, their slogans and narratives echo with broader political talking points and concerns about resource management, which, while important, do not reflect the existential threat faced by citizens on the ground.
This disconnect strongly suggests that the protests are influenced, if not orchestrated, by external actors with their own agendas-particularly given France’s long history of involvement and attempts to maintain influence in the region.
It is also illogical to claim that those living comfortably in France feel the pain of Burkina Faso’s crisis more acutely than those enduring the insecurity, hardship, and uncertainty inside the country.
Related News
The reality is that millions of Burkinabè at home have repeatedly rallied in support of Traoré, demanding an end to foreign interference and affirming their desire for sovereignty and security.
- ECOWAS to relocate Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso offices
- ECOWAS meets in Ghana over exit of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso
- Burkina Faso foils coup plot, blames exiled officers in Ivory Coast
Key rallies for Traoré include but not limited to: Jan 20, 2023 (anti-French protest); May 6, 2023 (nationwide pro-sovereignty march); Sept 26, 2023 (spontaneous night rally); Sept 29–30, 2023 (first coup anniversary); and Sept 30, 2024 (two-year milestone in Bobo-Dioulasso). All emphasised sovereignty, anti-interference, and security gains.
In contrast, the diaspora protests in France-often small in number-align with narratives historically promoted by foreign interests, rather than the immediate needs of the people in Burkina Faso.
During a US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on April 3, 2025, General Michael Langley, head of US Africa Command, accused Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré of misusing the country’s gold reserves. Langley claimed Traoré was using Burkina Faso’s estimated $4bn in gold reserves to protect and sustain his military regime, rather than for the benefit of the Burkinabè people.
He made those remarks in the context of broader US concerns about corruption, Chinese and Russian influence in Africa, and the diversion of mineral revenues to entrench military rulers.
The US interest in Burkina Faso is strategic. The country is a significant gold producer and occupies a key position in the Sahel, a region critical for US efforts to counter terrorism, limit Russian and Chinese influence, and secure access to vital minerals.
Can we say that the US is concerned that Burkina Faso under Traoré has expelled French troops, deepened ties with Russia (notably via the Wagner Group), and joined the Confederation of Sahel States with Mali and Niger, signalling a shift away from Western alliances. These moves threaten traditional Western influence and open the door for rival powers, prompting the US to scrutinise Burkina Faso’s leadership and resource management.
It is then clear that Langley’s statement and concern are similar to the voices of the French protesters. For this reason, it is crucial to understand such help that the West has rendered to African countries where there is a real dictatorship.
While the West has occasionally provided support for democratisation or humanitarian relief, its record in confronting real dictatorship in Africa is mixed. Interventions have often served Western interests first, sometimes even sustaining or enabling authoritarian rule rather than dismantling it.
For example, France has maintained deep military, political, and financial involvement in many of its former colonies, a dynamic that has been linked to instability and repeated coups in the so-called “Coup Belt” of West and Central Africa. Since 1990, 21 of the 27 coups in sub-Saharan Africa have occurred in former French colonies, raising questions about whether French influence has had a destabilising effect and whether it has at times propped up undemocratic leaders to protect its interests.
Also, during the Cold War, the West supported dictatorships in countries like Zaire (now the DRC) under Mobutu Seko and Uganda under Idi Amin, prioritising anti-communist alignment over democracy or human rights.
Is Burkina Faso another case of Western interest to derail a progressive nation, as was alleged about Nigeria (2014-2015), Libya in 2011, etc.?
With Western hypocrisy getting more and more obvious, the world should show more interest in saving Africa, which is at the receiving end of so much postcolonial interference that has damaged the continent. Nigeria is a sorry tale of this interference. Traore must not be killed, maimed, or forced from power. Western-made democracies around the world, e.g., Nigeria, have turned out to be monumental catastrophes.
The world must fundamentally rethink its approach to Africa, moving beyond paternalistic interventions and respecting African sovereignty. African nations, including Burkina Faso, deserve the right to determine their destinies without external manipulation, whether disguised as democracy promotion or counterterrorism.
Instead of imposing foreign models or supporting self-serving regimes, the international community should prioritise fair trade, debt relief, and investments that empower local communities.
The world owes Africa not just aid, but respect, space, and genuine partnership-allowing the continent to heal from exploitation and build a future on its terms. Let Africa breathe, and let Africa lead.
Dr Mbamalu, a Jefferson Journalism Fellow, member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and media consultant, is the publisher of Prime Business Africa
Kindly share this story:
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: theeditor@punchng.com
Burkina Faso: A nation under siege from within and without
Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré has survived numerous assassination attempts since taking power in 2022, amid a complex web of internal betrayal,
I have seen certain stuff about him. I am not sure if he is aware of certain things. A black messiah would have to come among us. We should know who the enemy is by now. And how they exactly took over. That is why I have worked so hard to try to make the true story of genesis commonly known world wide. Besides breaking white control we would still need outside help. It is hard to explain but the reason why there was so much secrecy about the word of God and who is God because they had to completely take it over before they made it legal for the masses of the earth. It is the same happening with ufo's and the fact that it is actually a black and white thing just like the true identity and history of Jesus.
He is in a dangerous position right now. Same as a lot of us. We are the last ones left.
He is in a dangerous position right now. Same as a lot of us. We are the last ones left.
You know how the west like to operate, fund jihadist to destabilize a region and then pump fake news to the masses
I remember Thomas Sankara and the work that he was doing before France had him killed. We are still in the same position as we were before slavery and during slavery. That is why we cannot help on matters like this. Still tied to the slave master. Instead of forced slavery it is voluntary slavery. And still doing the master bidding. The witchcraft and sorcery that built white power is a powerful source. I cannot understand how after so much in the past we allow these white devils to do investigating for us like CIA, NASA, etc.
To increase your GDP, you have to increase your energy consumption. As a person that pretends to give a damn about the environment, I'm not entirely sure about this endeavor.
The West in some parts of the European Union are nervous about this man because he’s causing other African countries to do the same thing they don’t have to come to the table and treat Africa like other countries. And this man has the love of his people if they go in and get him, they got to fight the whole country and region.
Do you believe this to be the case, or is it more out of hope than expectation?
Because I know West Africa and looking at Burkina Faso it seems to be more the same. If by his people you mean the French construct of Burkina Faso then he most certainly is not loved, and the whole region is certainly not going to go to bat for him. Hell, his countrymen have continuously took up arms against him, and even in the past week they have taken key towns and bases from him. People in his actual country, along with other muslims in the region.
Traore is a feel good story for diasporans who have limited direct contact with Africa, and like the national talking points of sticking it to the man and people they see in every day life, but for people living there who maybe see a white sex tourist once every few months, it doesnt speak to them at all. At this point Traore has already been leader of Burkina Faso nearly as long as Thomas Sankara was. What exactly has he shown in this time? West is bad press tours? A lopsided gold deal with a struggling economy Russia? Taking a desert outpost you know you didnt have the supply lines to maintain and consigning hundreds of young troops to gruesome deaths at the hands of JNIM?
Lets be honest here. We love him because he talks that shit to white guys. In a world where white men arent present he has to be judged on what he delivers and his actions. THEY dont love him like that at home because one need only look at the results. Even if they wanted an election(Which they dont, because he'd lose) they cant have one because it isnt safe enough to do one. He put a knife in the back of his "best friend"(who was actually more Sankara than Traore) for not being able to beat the jihadist after a few months, yet he hasnt been able to do the same after years. This isnt Nigeria though. The people of Burkina Faso are fundamentally muslim, and anti colonial resistance has always been a muslim movement. If you think you are going to win over these people by waving a russian flag you have another thing coming.
Keep playing! I told y'all that we under new management!!! The old price ain't the new price! Ship your folk back pine boxes!!!
He looks like he is ready to fuck some shit up on hand to hand combat out there.
Similar threads
