In my previous post, I asked a simple but important question: Has Captain Ibrahim Traoré succeeded or failed in delivering what he promised after taking power? Today, let’s revisit the key promises he made to the people of Burkina Faso and weigh them against current realities.
When Traoré overthrew Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba in
September 2022, he did so with bold claims and high hopes. He positioned
himself as a soldier of the people—young, patriotic, and committed to
liberating Burkina Faso from insecurity, corruption, and foreign manipulation.
Many, especially the youth, saw in him a new Sankara, the messiah of Burkina Faso.
But nearly three years later, what has become of those
promises?
1. “I Will Restore Security and Defeat Terrorists and gain
back our country totally”
This was perhaps his most urgent and repeated commitment.
Traoré said he would make fighting jihadist insurgents the top priority. But
the numbers are not in his favor.
Terrorist activity has escalated. Vast parts of Burkina Faso
remain outside state control and we have saw civilians being wrongly attacked
by his soldiers and the mercenaries from Russia.
Attacks have become more frequent and deadly, with many
civilians and soldiers losing their lives monthly.
Displacement figures continue to rise, with over 2 million
people now internally displaced and refugees in neighboring Benin and Ivory Coast.
If Damiba and Kaboré were accused of failing to secure the nation, then Traoré’s record so far cannot be considered a success either.
2. “I Will End Corruption and Serve the People”
Early in his tenure, Traoré spoke passionately against
corruption, promising transparency and accountability. Yet:
- There is little evidence of widespread anti-corruption reforms.
- Public finances remain opaque even in the domain of mining with the new reforms, and procurement scandals have begun to surface from members of his team.
- The military elite remains powerful, while ordinary citizens face worsening economic hardship.
Traoré publicly condemned corrupt politicians for hoarding
wealth (e.g., owning "25 cars and 30 houses") while citizens suffer
in poverty. However, his administration has been accused of similar opulence,
with reports of junta-linked elites benefiting from resource deals.
Has governance improved, or has it simply changed hands?
3. “We Will Embrace Sovereignty and Self-Reliance”
Captain Traoré has repeatedly emphasized sovereignty—breaking
away from colonial influence and standing on African feet. Burkina Faso, under
his leadership, has exited ECOWAS alongside Mali and Niger, and turned more
decisively toward Russia and Wagner-linked entities for military support.
- While this shift has been framed as asserting independence, we must ask:
- Is this true sovereignty—or just exchanging one dependency for another?
- Have the new alliances led to better outcomes for Burkinabè citizens?
4. “I’m Not Here for Power”
Perhaps his most symbolic statement: “If things get better,
I will go back to being an ordinary soldier.”
Yet today, Ibrahim Traoré is firmly entrenched in power.
There is no clear transition roadmap, no elections on the horizon, and an
increasing trend of militarized governance and no sign of democracy because of
the numerous arrest and detention of those who dare rise up to speak against
his administration.
Even among his initial supporters, frustration is growing.
A Pattern, Not a Surprise
What we are witnessing is not new. Across Africa, we have
seen military leaders rise with fiery rhetoric and revolutionary promises—only
to reproduce the very systems they swore to dismantle.
This is not just a Burkina Faso issue; it’s a continental
challenge. Until we develop institutions that are stronger than individuals,
and citizens who demand accountability beyond applause, this cycle will
continue.
Up Next: The Making of a Myth
In the next post, we’ll examine how figures like Captain
Traoré become mythologized—how symbolism, social media, and frustration with
the status quo can elevate soldiers into saints, even when reality tells
another story.
Thank you for reading. Let's continue to ask difficult
questions and think beyond the headlines.
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