Ibrahim Traoré Gains Support Amidst Controversy
The march in support of Captain Ibrahim Traoré reflects the complexities of the current situation in Burkina Faso, where the regime faces criticism for its handling of dissent and the security situation, while Traoré's popularity among African youth continues to grow due to his anti-imperialist posture and sovereignist discourse.
The population of Dédougou, capital of the Boucle du Mouhoun region, organized a march on April 30, 2025, to deny the statements of American General Michael Langley, with the regional governor, Babo Pierre Bassinga, leading the procession, which aimed to encourage and support Captain Ibrahim Traoré and the government.
The march, which covered approximately 5 kilometers, passing by the Loba hotel and the grand market, before returning to the Melon Gare square, allowed for the collection of 1,385,100 FCFA in support of the joint force of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The coordinatrice régionale des associations de veille citoyenne, Salimatou Compaoré, affirmed that the manifestation aimed to encourage and support Captain Ibrahim Traoré and the government, while warning against efforts to destabilize the regime.
Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the current leader of the transition in Burkina Faso, has acquired sustained popularity among African youth due to his anti-imperialist posture and sovereignist discourse. After a coup d'état in September 2022, Traoré promised to fight against terrorism, launched recruitment campaigns for the defense of the homeland, and intensified military operations. His radical reforms, such as the renationalization of the mining sector, have also been well received.
The situation in Burkina Faso remains complex, with the regime facing criticism for reducing dissenting voices to silence and the security situation having deteriorated significantly since Traoré's arrival in power. Nevertheless, the popularity of Traoré among African youth is a significant factor in the current geopolitical landscape, with his opposition to Western influence and his call for diversification of international partnerships resonating with many.