Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the 37-year-old military leader of Burkina Faso who took power in September 2022 after ousting interim president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba in a coup d’état, has gained phenomenal popularity and admiration globally—and more so in Africa, especially among the continent’s youth who identify with him in terms of age and generation (BBC News, 2022). The African diaspora has also fallen in love with the young military leader, who has cast himself in the mould of Thomas Sankara, the late revolutionary of the same country in whose honour Traoré recently unveiled a statue (France 24, 2023).
Traoré, who rose to power on the back of anti-insurgency and counter-terrorism rhetoric, crafted his popularity through a mix of pan-Africanist messaging, anti-imperialist positioning, social media-savvy populism, and symbolic reforms. Though his support is fueled by real policies and actions, it is alleged that a significant dose of disinformation and propaganda has played a major role in the whole affair, supposedly aided by AI-generated content and misleading visuals (Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 2024). This paper analyses the above statement in the light of the activities of Ibrahim Traoré.
Pan-Africanist Identity and Symbolism
Traoré draws inspiration from revolutionary figures like Thomas Sankara, positioning himself as a modern successor. Like Sankara, he wears military fatigues, uses defiant rhetoric against imperialism, and emphasises national sovereignty (Al Jazeera, 2023). He leads with modesty, a strong sense of patriotism, anti-corruption, and fellow-feeling for the ordinary Burkinabè. Additionally, his speeches—especially at high-profile events like the 2023 Russia-Africa Summit—strongly criticize Western influence, which resonates with many Africans disillusioned by decades of exploitation (Reuters, 2023).
Anti-Western Realignment
His government cut military ties with France and expelled French troops in 2023—a dramatic move in a region long considered a French sphere of influence (DW, 2023). He has since aligned closely with Russia, allowing the deployment of Russian paramilitary forces, likely Wagner-affiliated, deepening ties through military and economic cooperation (International Crisis Group, 2024). His anti-western stance was fuelled by France’s own treatment of its relations with former colonies that left a lot to be desired.
Economic Nationalism
Traoré has taken proactive measures to nationalise the gold sector, including creating a state-owned mining company and requiring foreign firms, including Russian ones, to cede stakes and transfer skills (Bloomberg, 2023). Burkina Faso is also building its first national gold reserves and a gold refinery, efforts symbolising economic independence. Gold contributes significantly to Burkina Faso’s economy, representing a substantial portion of exports (77-80%), GDP (16%), and government revenue (22%). This move has significant appeal not only for the country’s revenue, but other countries which seek to improve inflows from natural resources, such as Ghana.
Youth Appeal
At 37, Traoré represents a youthful break from ageing, entrenched leaders clinging to power in Africa. In a country with a median age of just 17.7, his style, charisma, and revolutionary language feel refreshing—especially to a generation disillusioned by failed democracies (UNDP, 2023). In him, the youth of Burkina Faso see a reincarnated Sankara with a blend of the patriotic populism of Ghana’s Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, who also rose to power at age 34 via a coup. At the unveiling of the Thomas Sankara Mausoleum—attended by a Ghanaian delegation led by Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, including Rawlings’ daughter Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings (MP) — the Burkinabè government named a major street in Ouagadougou after Flt Lt Rawlings. The John Jerry RawlingsAvenue and the Sankara Museum immortalise Traoré’s two political heroes (GhanaWeb, 2024). The gesture cemented Traoré’s popularity across national borders. In January, he received the highest applause at the investiture of Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, who later jovially acknowledged Traoré’s popularity at a joint press briefing (MyJoyOnline, 2025). It is important to point out that President Mahama also appointed a Ghanaian, retired army officer Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, as the special envoy to the Alliance of Sahel States, comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger (Africa Report, 2024).
Global Black Solidarity
Traoré’s stance against imperialism resonates with African Americans, Black Britons, and others in the diaspora. His message connects with historic grievances—colonialism, slavery, and racial injustice—giving his leadership a symbolic global meaning beyond Burkina Faso (The Guardian, 2023).
Social Media Strategy (Disinformation and Myth-Building)
BBC asserts that the excellent image of Traore often blends fact, myth, and AI-generated content, portraying him as a heroic reformer (BBC Verift, 2024). This type of assertion is reflective of the general Western narrative that is against the changes in the Former French colony.
Furthermore, Africa Check, 2024 and DW Fact Check, 2024 have made similar claims that Traoré’s tax free nation claim and housing projects are not true. However, whether Traoré is directly or indirectly behind the supposed disinformation, we cannot lose sight of the perception of Traoré as a hero in Africa.
The Bigger Picture: What Traoré Represents
Admittedly, Traoré has entrenched himself in the African narrative—whether by happenstance or design—as more than just a political figure. He’s become a symbol of growing frustration among African youth, a poster boy for the rejection of neo-colonial dependency, and a yearning for sovereignty. He also reflects the dangers of charismatic populism combined with authoritarian governance, where myth can overpower reality (Freedom House, 2024).
While he champions liberation, his government has been accused of cracking down on dissent by using state machinery to silence journalists, opposition voices, and civil society leaders (Reporters Without Borders, 2024). He’s also been accused of human rights abuses, including allegedly deploying journalists and civilians to the jihadist frontlines as punishment (Human Rights Watch, 2024).
His country has faced challenges with terrorism having been ranked, for the second consecutive year, as the most terrorised country in the world according to the Global Terrorism Index (Institute for Economics & Peace, 2025).
This notwithstanding, it is an undeniable fact is that Traoré is carving a new path for his country and citizens. He may have come to power through the barrel of a gun – a means despised by the democratic world – but, perhaps, that underscores the need for Africa to fashion out a governance structure and system that caters to its uniqueness.
References
Africa Center for Strategic Studies. (2024). The Rise of Disinformation in the Sahel. Retrieved from https://africacenter.org
Africa Check. (2024). Fact-check: No, Traoré did not cancel all taxes. Retrieved from https://africacheck.org
Africa Report. (2024). Traoré Appoints Ghanaian Army Officer as Sahel Envoy. Retrieved from https://www.theafricareport.com
Al Jazeera. (2023). Burkina Faso’s Leader Channels Thomas Sankara Legacy. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com
BBC News. (2022). Burkina Faso coup: Captain Traoré declares himself new leader. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-63043952
BBC Verify. (2024). How AI Fakes Are Building a Cult Around Burkina Faso’s Leader. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news
Bloomberg. (2023). Burkina Faso Moves to Nationalize Gold Mining Sector. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com
DW. (2023). France Pulls Troops from Burkina Faso After Demand by Junta. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com
DW Fact Check. (2024). No, These Videos Are Not from Burkina Faso Protests. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/factcheck
France 24. (2023). Burkina Faso unveils Thomas Sankara statue. Retrieved from https://www.france24.com
Freedom House. (2024). Burkina Faso: Country Report. Retrieved from https://freedomhouse.org
GhanaWeb. (2024). Ouagadougou Names Street After Rawlings. Retrieved from https://www.ghanaweb.com
Human Rights Watch. (2024). Burkina Faso: Civilians Deployed to Combat Zones. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org
Institute for Economics & Peace. (2025). Global Terrorism Index 2025. Retrieved from https://www.visionofhumanity.org
International Crisis Group. (2024). The Wagner Group’s Growing Footprint in the Sahel. Retrieved from https://www.crisisgroup.org
MyJoyOnline. (2025). Traoré Steals the Show at Mahama Inauguration. Retrieved from https://www.myjoyonline.com
Reporters Without Borders. (2024). Burkina Faso: Press Freedom Under Siege. Retrieved from https://rsf.org
Reuters. (2023). Burkina Faso’s Junta Leader Slams West at Russia-Africa Summit. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com
The Guardian. (2023). Burkina Faso’s Leader Gains Global Black Support. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com
UNDP. (2023). Human Development Index Report: Burkina Faso. Retrieved from https://www.undp.org
