Africa’s Youngest Liberator: How Ibrahim Traoré is Shaking Up Burkina Faso and Beyond

At just 37 years old, Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré has become a lightning rod of hope, controversy, and revolutionary fervor across West Africa and the global stage. As the world’s second youngest head of state, Traoré has captured hearts and headlines with a bold mission: to break Burkina Faso free from the shackles of foreign control—militarily, politically, and economically. His rise to power, marked by a dramatic coup in September 2022, signals a seismic shift in the region’s fight against neocolonialism, jihadist insurgencies, and economic exploitation.

A Coup Born of Necessity

Traoré’s ascent began in the chaos of Burkina Faso’s escalating security crisis. In January 2022, a military junta known as the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration seized power, ousting President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré amid rampant jihadist attacks. Traoré, then a military officer and head of an artillery regiment in Kaya, supported the coup. But just eight months later, the new leader, Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba, failed to deliver on his promise of security. Jihadist violence surged, with a devastating attack in Gorgadji in August 2022 claiming over 80 lives. For Traoré, enough was enough.

On September 30, 2022, Traoré led a second coup, toppling Damiba and taking control as interim president. The people of Burkina Faso, weary of insecurity and foreign influence, rallied behind the young captain. His message was clear: Burkina Faso would no longer be a pawn in the hands of external powers.

A Bold Vision for Sovereignty

Traoré’s leadership is defined by a fierce commitment to sovereignty, a stance that has earned him the nickname “Son of Africa.” He wasted no time in making bold moves to dismantle the remnants of French influence in Burkina Faso, a former colony. In 2023, he expelled French troops, suspended French media outlets like RFI and France 24, and tore up military agreements with France. “You can’t fight terrorism while being dependent on the very powers profiting off your weakness,” Traoré declared, a sentiment that resonates deeply in a region scarred by decades of foreign exploitation.

But Traoré didn’t stop there. He turned his attention to the CFA franc, a currency pegged to the euro and controlled via the French treasury, which many African leaders see as a symbol of economic neocolonialism. Traoré’s government is exploring an exit from the CFA franc, aiming to reclaim full monetary sovereignty—a move that could inspire other West African nations to follow suit.

Burkina Faso’s vast gold reserves, which have historically enriched foreign companies while leaving locals impoverished, are also in Traoré’s crosshairs. “A slave who cannot assume his own revolt does not deserve to be pitied,” he said in a fiery speech. His administration has pushed to nationalize key gold mines like Boungou and Wahgnion and approved a state-owned gold refinery in 2023 to process 400 kg daily, ensuring profits fuel local development.

A New Regional Alliance and a Pivot to Russia

Traoré’s vision extends beyond Burkina Faso’s borders. He has aligned with Mali and Niger, two neighboring states also led by military governments, to form a regional bloc under the Liptako–Gourma Authority. This alliance, formalized in 2024, aims to end foreign interference and assert control over their collective futures. On July 6, 2024, the trio announced their withdrawal from the West African bloc ECOWAS, opting instead to create a confederation of junta states—a “community of sovereign peoples far from the control of foreign powers.”

At the same time, Traoré has forged closer ties with Russia, a move that has raised eyebrows in the West. In 2024, Russian military instructors arrived to replace French forces, helping Burkina Faso combat the Islamist insurgency that controls 40% of the country as of June 2024. Traoré’s recent visit to Moscow on May 9, 2025, further cemented this partnership, with talks focusing on defense, energy, and infrastructure cooperation. While critics in the U.S. claim Traoré is trading one form of foreign influence for another, his supporters argue that Russia offers a partnership without the colonial baggage of the West.

The Pan-Africanist Torchbearer

Traoré’s rhetoric and actions echo the legacy of Burkina Faso’s revolutionary hero Thomas Sankara, often called “Africa’s Che Guevara,” and pan-African icons like Kwame Nkrumah. “From Samori Touré to Thomas Sankara, our ancestors chose resistance. Now, we must choose: either we fight for sovereignty, or we remain slaves to neo-colonialism,” Traoré said in a 2023 interview with Radio Omega FM. His message of unity, pride, and liberation has resonated far beyond Burkina Faso, inspiring a new generation of Africans questioning the continent’s persistent poverty despite its resource wealth.

Beverly Ochieng, a senior researcher at Control Risks, told the BBC, “Traoré’s impact is huge. I have even heard politicians and authors in countries like Kenya say: ‘This is it. He is the man.’ His messages reflect the age we are living in, when many Africans are questioning the relationship with the West.”

Challenges and Criticism

Despite his popularity, Traoré’s rule is not without controversy. Critics label him authoritarian, pointing to the extension of his mandate for five years following national consultations in May 2024—consultations boycotted by most political parties. The U.S. Africa Command has accused Traoré of using Burkina Faso’s gold reserves to secure his junta’s power rather than the nation’s benefit, alleging that Russian forces are propping him up in exchange for gold stakes.

French President Emmanuel Macron has been particularly scathing, describing Traoré as part of a “baroque alliance between self-proclaimed pan-Africans and neo-imperialists.” Yet, Traoré’s admirers, from African youth to global figures like rapper Meek Mill, see him as a liberator fighting for dignity on his own terms.

A New Era for Africa?

Ibrahim Traoré stands at the forefront of a broader wave of African leaders rejecting neocolonial structures. His journey from a quiet, talented student in Bobo-Dioulasso to a Marxist-leaning military officer and now a pan-Africanist icon is a testament to his resolve. Whether he can deliver on his promises of security, economic independence, and regional unity remains to be seen. The road ahead is fraught with challenges—jihadist violence, economic instability, and geopolitical tensions—but Traoré’s unyielding commitment to sovereignty has already made him a symbol of Africa’s fight for self-determination.

As Burkina Faso navigates this pivotal moment, the world watches closely. Is Traoré the revolutionary leader Africa has been waiting for, or will his ambitious vision falter under the weight of its own contradictions? One thing is certain: the “Son of Africa” is here to stay, and his impact will be felt for generations to come.