Despite reports of crackdown on media and political opponents in Burkina Faso, junta leader Ibrahim Traoré is gaining popularity across the continent. According to NAI researcher Jesper Bjarnesen, Traoré´s pan-African rhetoric appeals to many who are increasingly frustrated by Africa’s dependency on the West.

When Ibrahim Traoré took power in a military coup in 2022, he promised to act as a transitional leader and to put an end to the jihadist insurgency. However, failing to do so, Traoré has grown further political aspirations. Inspired by fellow Burkinabe leader Thomas Sankara External link., a revolutionary soldier in power from 1983 to 1987, Traoré has adopted a pan-Africanist ideology that appeals to many people across Africa, according to NAI researcher Jesper Bjarnesen.

“Sankara represents an ideology of African pride and self-sufficiency, which continues to inspire new generations of young people not only in Africa but across the globe. But Sankara’s leadership was not as flawless as some people want to think. As Traoré today, his administration was harsh towards his critics and did not foster political openness at home”.

Traoré’s junta has cracked down on any kind of dissent. Media have been silenced and people who dare to speak out against the military regime risk being forcibly recruited into the army External link. and sent to the front line.

Despite all this, Traoré’s popularity has grown, boosted by memes on social media. Among them are obviously fake AI-generated music videos featuring celebrities such as R. Kelly External link. and Beyoncé External link., intended to bolster Traoré’s image as an African revolutionary leader.

“Traoré himself is not behind these posts. But they do serve him well in his purpose of trying to leave the junta leader role and instead become a politician with ideological aims”, Bjarnesen remarks.

He adds: “Traoré´s rhetoric is a kind of a no-nonsense version of pan-Africanism External link., which is alluring to people also outside Burkina Faso, as many Africans feel their countries have not dealt sufficiently with the colonial past”.

Traoré’s words have not been empty. Like fellow junta leaders in Mali and Niger, he has taken Burkina Faso out of regional economic organisation ECOWAS, claiming it is highly ineffective and corrupt. Further, Traoré has nationalised several mines in the country and demands foreign companies to transfer part of their profits to the state. His most popular move so far has probably been to cut ties with France. In francophone African countries, relations with France even after independence have never been on equal terms.

“President Emmanuel Macron has been following the same patronising path as other French leaders. His arrogant attitude almost conveys that former colonies should be grateful to have France as a former ruler. Unsurprisingly, the Burkinabe people stood behind Traoré in showing the French the door”, Bjarnesen points out.

Shortly after the coup, all military cooperation with France was terminated and diplomatic relations have been frosty ever since. For example, Burkinabe authorities would not grant visas to some of Bjarnesen’s research colleagues from France to attend academic conferences in Burkina Faso.

After France had left, Traoré invited Russia in. While this move was highly controversial in the West, it has increased Traoré’s popularity in Africa. Bjarnesen observes: “It is a symbol showing that Europe cannot take African countries for granted. They are claiming the right to a non-aligned position, or to choose another side. And Russia has convinced many people that they can offer a less moralising and more pragmatic relationship, without the same colonial baggage”.

Allying militarily with Russia, however, has not helped. Despite the deployment of a Russian paramilitary brigade, the Islamist insurgents have not been defeated. If anything, the violence former private military company Wagner group has committed against civilians has possibly escalated the conflict in the region, according to Bjarnesen. Today, nearly half of Burkina Faso is under the control of groups allied to either al-Qaeda or the Islamic State.

“This is problematic for Traoré. Regardless of his pan-African ideology and political ambitions, he has not delivered on his promise to end the war. His other promise, to hold elections, is impossible to realise because of the current security situation, and therefore less of an issue for him politically”, Bjarnesen says.

What seems clear is that Traoré has no intentions of leaving. “It´s hard to say what Traoré’s long-term intentions are, but he seems to have positioned himself as more than just a transitional leader. Given his success in appealing to popular support, and in suppressing his critics, his longevity will depend on how he handles the jihadist insurgency, and also on whether he is able to prevent a new coup from within his own ranks. That’s one of the many problems with being an un-elected leader”, Bjarnesen concludes.

TEXT: Johan Sävström