In a hard-hitting interview that has sent diplomatic ripples across international relations, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso’s interim leader, delivered an uncompromising critique of Western imperialism while reaffirming his nation’s strengthening alliance with Russia.
Traoré spoke his mind during his visit to Moscow for Russia’s 80th Victory Day Parade this week. He didn’t hold back about what he views as the West’s ongoing exploitation of African countries.
The terrorism we see today stems from imperialism, and we’re fighting it,” Traoré stated drawing a direct link between security issues in the Sahel region and what he calls the continuing imperial ambitions of former colonial powers.
The young leader, who gained power in 2022 after kicking French troops out of Burkina Faso, aimed strong words at U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander Michael Langley. When faced with claims that his government mishandles the country’s gold reserves, Traoré fired back: “Langley should look himself in the mirror and feel ashamed.”
In a thorough breakdown of Burkina Faso’s gold reserves, Traoré shared that his government started to build up significant reserves right after coming into power. “When we took office, we made a key choice to keep more of our gold production at home instead of selling all of it overseas at prices set by Western markets,” he said.
Traoré pointed out that the country has built up large reserves since late 2022, which have played a crucial role in keeping the national currency steady and funding essential infrastructure projects.
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“We’ve used our gold reserves to fund new hospitals in rural areas, expand our power grid to regions that were ignored before, and buy military gear to fight terrorism without Western conditions,” Traoré said. “These are choices we make about our own resources that no foreign country has any right to question.”
Traoré stressed his country’s right to make its own cultural and political choices, which might worry Western governments. “We don’t want outsiders to force ideas on us that go against our culture. We flat-out reject that,” he said showing a continued shift away from the usual Western allies.
The interview shed light on Burkina Faso’s growing economic and educational connections with Russia. Traoré acknowledged Russia’s past wheat gifts, but stated: “We made a promise to President Putin that we no longer wish to be supplied with wheat because we are going to produce the wheat.” He also asked Russian universities to set up branches in Burkina Faso to improve scientific and engineering education.
When it came to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Traoré offered a view that clashed with Western accounts. “The reality is that all the ‘help’ they were given is not help, they gave away their minerals. In fact, Ukraine no longer belongs to Ukrainians,” he said describing the conflict as a Western plan to undermine Russia.
In a moving historical comparison, Traoré linked Burkina Faso’s present-day problems to its past sacrifices during World War II pointing out that 30,000 Burkinabe soldiers fought for Free France. “Some people don’t even know that our grandparents fought – they were put on the frontlines as cannon fodder,” he said drawing connections between past exploitation and today’s challenges.
As Captain Traoré keeps meeting diplomats in Moscow, his frank interview works as a caution to Western countries and an open door to Russia – showing the rapidly changing political scene in West Africa.
