Ibrahim Traoré's rise fuels Africa's tide of anti-Westernism — but violence escalates in Burkina Faso under his rule

Ibrahim Traoré's rise fuels Africa's tide of anti-Westernism

Only three years ago, Ibrahim Traoré was an obscure junior officer in the Burkina Faso military. Now, at 37, he's celebrated throughout Africa and around the world as a smooth, anti-Western politician drawing on the legacy of Thomas Sankara. But while he draws enthusiasm from all over the continent and the diaspora, Burkina Faso is suffering some of the worst violence in recent times, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Traoré came to power in 2022 by overthrowing another military commander who had in turn overthrown an elected government. His Pan-Africanism, sovereignty, anti-Western and anti-French domination platform has since struck a chord, particularly with youth and rural poor who have grown disillusioned with decades of post-colonial rule. He has expelled French forces, re-negotiated gold-mining contracts, and established indigenous enterprises to spur agriculture and industry.

An engaging leader who is universally appealing

Traoré's fame has no borders. In Nairobi, Kingston, and London, supporters cover rickshaws and billboards with his face, proclaiming him a Black liberator. Thomas Sankara comparisons are not rare, and not even necessitated by anyone but Traoré himself. Recently, a Nation of Islam magazine put both men together on the cover.

Surveys reflect the mood of the times: an Afrobarometer poll indicated that the majority of Burkinabé welcome the military regime to suppress corrupt elites. Two-thirds of Africans do not, however, welcome long-term military rule.

A cautious embrace of Russia

Although Traoré has welcomed Moscow as a counter to the West's interests, he has been careful to limit direct Russian military involvement. Although he has signed a gold-mining deal with Russian firm Nordgold and marched in a Kremlin parade before President Vladimir Putin, a group of 400 Russian mercenaries were asked to depart just three months after their arrival.

Traoré is wary of granting too much independence, experts say. "Russian mercenaries are not his cup of tea," a former minister said, going on to add that Traoré perceives Burkina Faso's army as the true guarantor of independence.

However, pro-Russian disinformation glorifying Traoré has circulated widely across Africa, coordinated in part by the Wagner Group and by Russian influence operations. Theirs is the message — of a leader resisting Western dominance — that has helped to solidify his Pan-African image.

A deteriorating war at home

While he's popular abroad, Traoré is increasingly questioned at home — especially on security. His coup was sold as a response to Burkina Faso's failure to suppress jihadist uprisings, but violence has only mounted under his leadership.

More than 17,000 have been killed in anti-insurgency violence since the coup, U.S.-based estimates at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies indicate — more than three times as many individuals as were murdered in the three years of civilian government before the coup. The slaughter of hundreds in Barsalogho in August reveals how badly the military campaign is faring.

Human rights groups accuse Traoré's government of atrocities, including extrajudicial killings, forced military conscription of citizens, and repression of opposition. The military allegedly persecutes critics and activists under a state of emergency. The government did not respond to such claims.

Delayed democracy and uncertain future

Traoré has postponed elections — initially guaranteed in 2024 — to 2029, declaring that nationwide voting is possible only after land is recaptured from insurgents. That action has troubled urban elites, civil society activists, and foreign observers concerned that Burkina Faso is on the path to permanent authoritarianism.

For the moment, Traoré has a unique combination of youth support, Pan-African legitimacy, and international symbolism. But when security breaks down and economic woes continue, analysts caution, the party may swiftly turn into despair.

There's a potential for this symbolism and popular acceptance that he has currently to diminish," said Ayotunde Abiodun of SBM Intelligence. "It will depend on whether or not he is able to actually bring peace and prosperity.