Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – May 1, 2025 – In a stirring message that has reverberated across the African continent and beyond, Burkina Faso’s transitional president, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has rallied the world’s “peace-loving, freedom-loving patriots and pan-Africanists” in a bold stand against imperialism and neo-colonialism.
His powerful statement, posted on April 30, 2025, followed massive demonstrations in cities from Accra to Montego Bay, where thousands voiced unwavering support for Traoré’s vision of a sovereign, emancipated Africa.
The 37-year-old leader, the world’s second-youngest head of state, thanked supporters for their “active solidarity” after a global wave of protests under the banner “Hands Off the AES!” swept through Burkina Faso, Ghana, Liberia, and even the African diaspora in Jamaica.
These rallies, sparked by recent allegations of foreign interference and a foiled coup attempt on April 21, underscored Traoré’s growing influence as a revolutionary icon and a symbol of resistance against Western dominance.
“We will never bend our backs in the face of adversity,” Traoré declared, his words echoing the fiery resolve of Burkina Faso’s revered revolutionary leader, Thomas Sankara, whose legacy Traoré has vowed to revive.
We will never bend our backs in the face of adversity; we will stand firm until our peoples are truly emancipated. With you, we are certain that victory over the forces of evil is at hand. April 30, 2025
“Together, in solidarity, we will defeat imperialism and neo-colonialism for a free, dignified and sovereign Africa.” His message, translated into multiple languages, struck a chord with a generation hungry for self-determination and economic independence.
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The backdrop to this global outpouring was a tense period for Burkina Faso. On April 21, the military government announced it had thwarted a “major plot” to overthrow Traoré, allegedly orchestrated from neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire, a nation accused of sheltering coup plotters, including Blaise Compaoré, the man linked to Sankara’s 1987 assassination.
Adding fuel to the fire, U.S. AFRICOM Commander General Michael Langley accused Traoré of misusing Burkina Faso’s gold reserves, a claim widely dismissed by supporters as imperialist propaganda aimed at undermining Traoré’s pro-people policies.
Economic transformation and liberation
Under Traoré’s leadership, Burkina Faso has taken bold steps to break free from neo-colonial chains. Since assuming power in a September 2022 coup, he has expelled French troops, rejected the CFA Franc, and nationalised gold reserves, approving the construction of the country’s first gold refinery in November 2023 to process resources domestically.
These moves, aimed at ending the exploitative export of unrefined minerals to Europe, have positioned Traoré as a champion of economic self-sufficiency.
The April 30 rallies, organised by grassroots movements and pro-junta coalitions like the National Coordination of the Civilian Vigil (CNAVC), saw protesters waving Burkinabe and Russian flags while brandishing placards with slogans like “Down with imperialism and its local lackeys” and “Full support for President Ibrahim Traoré.”
In Ouagadougou’s central square, thousands chanted for African unity, while in Montego Bay, Rastafarians hailed Traoré as a liberator fighting to free Africa from “white colonisers.”
Sekou Ansumariam Dukaly, a Liberian demonstrator who traveled to Ouagadougou, captured the sentiment of many: “Captain Ibrahim Traoré represents hope for Africa, hope for Black people, hope for all freedom fighters around the globe.”
Social media platforms, particularly X, buzzed with hashtags like #HandsOffBurkinaFaso and #Traore, amplifying the message of resistance. One post declared, “The West has weapons — Traoré has the people. You can’t sanction a revolution!”
Traoré’s vision extends beyond Burkina Faso. As a key figure in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a confederation with Mali and Niger formed to counter neo-colonial influence, he has forged ties with nations like Russia, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, signalling a shift toward a multipolar world.
His government’s rejection of Western institutions like the IMF and World Bank has inspired calls for other African nations to follow suit.
Challenges Amid Revolution
Yet, challenges loom large. Burkina Faso grapples with a jihadist insurgency that has displaced over 2.5 million people and left 60% of the country outside government control. Critics argue that Traoré’s focus on sovereignty risks delaying democratic elections, with his mandate extended until at least 2029.
Despite these hurdles, recent studies project an 8% economic growth rate through 2043, potentially lifting 2.4 million Burkinabé out of poverty if governance reforms succeed.
For now, Traoré’s message of defiance and unity has galvanised a movement. “Your solidarity strengthens our conviction that the fight we are waging for a fairer and more equitable world is justified,” he wrote, a rallying cry that has turned him into a beacon for pan-Africanists worldwide. As one Jamaican protester put it, “Jamaica is the fatherland, and Africa-Ethiopia is our motherland. We must agitate for our rights.”
In the face of alleged assassination plots and imperialist smear campaigns, Traoré stands firm, backed by a continent and a diaspora that see in him the promise of a new Africa — one that writes its own destiny.
Will Captain Traoré’s revolution reshape Africa’s future, or will the forces of neo-colonialism strike back? The world is watching.
Nnaji nwa Nnaji be Oruruo
