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‘The Cult of Saint Traoré’: How a Russia-Backed Junta Leader Became an Icon
- Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in a September 2022 coup in Burkina Faso and has since led a government from Ouagadougou.
- His rise followed deep frustration with traditional leadership and Western influence, amid mounting violence and authoritarianism in the Sahel region.
- Traoré’s leadership combines military actions with a viral presence, including an AI-generated 2024 video promoting African unity that sparked wide youth engagement.
- He expelled French troops in 2023, rejects IMF loans, increased civil servant wages by 50%, and in May 2025 met Vladimir Putin in Moscow, signaling a shift toward Russia.
- His government faces severe security challenges with over 60% of territory outside control, widespread displacement, press detentions, and regional tensions raising concerns over democratic and human rights futures.
39 Articles
39 Articles
Burkina Faso: 'elections not a priority compared to security', says military leader
Almost a year after seizing power in a coup, Captain Ibrahim Traore, who had promised a return to presidential elections by July 2024, in Burkina Faso, announced planned changes to the constitution to make it representative of the masses, declaring Friday, on state TV, that elections are not a prior
Disinformation is widespread in the Sahel region plagued by terrorism, with the Burkinian leader of the military government acting as Pan-African president who is also fighting against Ukraine.
From Beyoncé to R. Kelly, AI music videos praise Burkina Faso's junta leader Ibrahim Traoré
Since the beginning of May, a surge of music videos singing the praises of Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso's military leader, voiced by top English-speaking singers. These are deepfakes generated by artificial intelligence, featuring stars like Beyonce, Justin Bieber, R. Kelly, Rihanna -- and experts say it could be a "coordinated campaign." The France 24 Observers did a deep dive into when and why this wave of English pro-Traoré content began appe…
Burkina Faso’s government of change confronts imperialism
Captain Ibrahim Traoré, 34 years old, became the provisional head of Burkina Faso’s government after a military coup in September 2022. The state he now leads is seeking to finish off the remnants of French colonial power, build economic independence, develop infrastructure, satisfy some of the population’s basic needs, and ward off U.S. intervention. The lesson to be taken from happenings there is that in the Global South, national independence…
Can military ruler Traoré be the leader Burkinabè hope for? – The Mail & Guardian
In September 2022, Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in Burkina Faso through a military coup, becoming the world’s youngest head of state. Many Africans see him as a break from elected leaders who have long misused democratic institutions for personal gain. He cut salary hikes, nationalised two gold mines, and limited gold exports to Europe, moves hailed as defiance of neo-colonialism. The strong support for Traoré across Africa is understand…
Africa: Langley Stands By Criticism of Traore, Cites Inadequate Anti-Terror Funding
Nairobi -- US Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander General Michael Langley has defended his criticism of Burkina Faso's military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, citing underspending on anti-terror efforts.
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