‘He is now arguably Africa’s most popular, if not favourite, president’
At just 37, Burkina Faso’s military leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré has cultivated a revolutionary image as a pan-Africanist challenging Western influence, drawing comparisons to Marxist icon Thomas Sankara. Since seizing power in a 2022 coup, Traoré has severed ties with former colonial ruler France, embraced Russian military and economic partnerships, and implemented left-wing policies like mandatory 15% state stakes in foreign mining operations. “His messages reflect the age we’re in, with Africans questioning why poverty persists in a resource-rich continent,” analyst Beverly Ochieng told the BBC, noting his appeal extends from Kenya to the global African diaspora.
Traoré’s “revolution” includes unprecedented moves like creating national gold reserves and a state refinery, while squeezing Western firms – evidenced by Australia’s Sarama Resources filing arbitration after losing exploration rights. “He’s now arguably Africa’s most popular president,” researcher Enoch Randy Aikins observed, attributing his rise to anti-imperialist rhetoric and a savvy social media campaign. AI-generated videos falsely depicting stars like Beyoncé praising him have amplified his cult-like following, alongside Russian media’s promotion of his viral 2023 Russia-Africa summit speech urging leaders to stop being “puppets” to Western powers.
Despite his grassroots appeal, Traoré’s policies face scrutiny. While nationalizations and skills-transfer mandates aim to reclaim Burkina Faso’s mineral wealth, critics warn of deterring foreign investment.