Yesterday, I shared a post on my personal profiles about Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the leader of the military junta currently ruling Burkina Faso. The backlash was immediate. My attempt to spark critical reflection on his leadership was met with a wave of insults and accusations, simply because I dared to question the narrative that paints him as a revolutionary hero.
Yet I stand by every word I wrote.
I will not delete the post. Those who follow me know that I do not write to please the crowd. I write to inform, provoke thought, and challenge assumptions. I welcome constructive criticism, but I will never be swayed by insults or peer pressure. If we, as Africans, are to move forward, we must learn to coexist with differing opinions. Unity does not demand uniformity of thought—it requires mutual respect and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.
Let’s take a closer look at Captain Traoré and the circumstances that brought him to power.
From Supporter to Supplanter
In January 2022, a military coup ousted Burkina Faso’s democratically elected President, Roch Kaboré. That coup was led by Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, with support from Captain Ibrahim Traoré and others.
The justification? The government had failed to contain jihadist violence and had lost the public’s trust.
But by mid-2022, dissatisfaction had taken root within the military itself. Junior officers, including Traoré, grew frustrated with Damiba’s leadership, accusing him of diverting attention from military priorities in favor of political ambitions. Meanwhile, Islamist violence worsened. Armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS expanded their hold over the country, reportedly controlling nearly 40% of its territory.
Soldiers were reportedly underpaid, poorly equipped, and increasingly demoralized. Against this backdrop, Traoré and his allies launched a second coup on 30 September 2022, removing Damiba from power.
If you’re familiar with Burkina Faso’s history, this won’t surprise you. Since gaining independence in 1960, the country has experienced at least eight successful coups, not to mention many failed attempts. Traoré himself has declared five attempted coups against his rule as of May 2025. This alone is a clear signal: dissent remains even within his ranks, and his grip on power is far from secure.
The Results Tell the Story
Captain Traoré came to power criticizing Damiba for failing to contain terrorism. But if we measure leadership by outcomes, the situation has worsened under Traoré. Jihadist groups have grown stronger, not weaker. Attacks continue, and civilians remain caught in the crossfire.
So we must ask: if both Kaboré and Damiba were removed for failing to secure the country, what makes Traoré any different?
The Myth of the Military Saviour
Too often in African politics, we see a recurring pattern: soldiers take power, claiming to be the solution to political failure. They promise discipline, justice, and national salvation. But in reality, they often repeat the very mistakes of those they overthrow, sometimes worse.
This isn’t to say that Burkina Faso’s previous civilian governments were flawless. Far from it. But we must be careful not to romanticize military takeovers as acts of heroism. Each coup weakens democratic institutions and deepens the cycle of instability.
Looking Ahead
In the coming days, I will be publishing a series that dives deeper into Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s rise, his promises, his policies, and the true state of Burkina Faso today. My goal is not to defame, but to inform—to help us see clearly through the fog of propaganda and popular sentiment.
We owe it to ourselves and to future generations to ask hard questions.
Let’s continue this conversation with open minds, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the truth.
Thank you for reading.
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