Captain Ibrahim Traoré rose to power in September 2022 after leading a coup that ousted Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. He was sworn in as transitional President the following month, becoming the youngest leader in Burkina Faso’s history.

New Hope: Traoré has advanced a pan-African and sovereignty-focused agenda, emphasising national control over natural resources, especially gold, as well as agricultural self-sufficiency and infrastructure development. His rhetoric often draws on the legacy of Thomas Sankara, invoking themes of anti-imperialism and national dignity. These policies and ideals resonate strongly with the country’s youth, who see him as a break from dependency on former colonial powers and a symbol of renewal.

Challenges: Traoré initially pledged democratic elections by July 2024, but ongoing insecurity led his transitional charter to extend the period by 60 months, potentially delaying a return to civilian rule until 2029. The volatile security environment in the Sahel continues to test his administration, leaving citizens balancing hopes for stability with concerns about authoritarian drift.

Global Popularity & Western Response: Beyond Burkina Faso, Traoré has become a prominent figure in African youth movements and pan-Africanist discourse. He is celebrated at rallies and on social media as a champion of sovereignty and resistance
to neocolonialism, with his speeches widely circulated across the continent. However, his leadership has also made him a target; he has survived numerous assassination attempts since 2022, underscoring the dangers he faces amid domestic and international tensions. Western governments, particularly France, have expressed concern over his expulsion of French troops and diplomats, his alignment with Russia, and democratic delays.