“We Oppose French Policies, Not The French People” – Ibrahim Traore

Amidst rising tensions with France, Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, emphasized in an interview that his country’s grievances lie with the policies of the French government, not the French people themselves.

Following Captain Traore’s rise to power in September 2022, France withdrew its troops from its former colony due to mounting hostility.

“We do not consider the French people as our adversaries; it is the policies pursued by the French government in Africa that concern us,” Traore stated in a recent interview broadcast on the state channel RTB.

Traore emphasized the importance of nations maintaining a non-imperialistic approach to international relations, calling for mutual respect and a comprehensive reevaluation of cooperation.

Reflecting on Burkina Faso’s historical ties with France, Traore mentioned past agreements that, in his view, hindered the country’s development without providing specific details.

He noted that imperialistic ambitions extend beyond France, acknowledging the presence of other nations with similar approaches.

Furthermore, Traore suggested that France had not been effective in supporting Burkina Faso’s fight against the ongoing anti-jihadist insurgency.

“We have established new partnerships for equipment and assistance,” he mentioned without specifying these partners.

Since France’s withdrawal in January, Burkina Faso has forged closer relations with Russia, an ally of the junta in neighboring Mali. Traore met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Russia-Africa summit in Saint Petersburg in July and recently held discussions with a Russian delegation on development and military cooperation.

In addition, Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Olivia Rouamba, expressed hopes for enhanced bilateral cooperation during her talks with Iranian President Ebrahim Raissi in Tehran.

The impoverished, landlocked nation has been grappling with a jihadist campaign that originated in Mali in 2015. Over 16,000 civilians, troops, and police have lost their lives, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a monitoring NGO. Additionally, more than two million people have been displaced from their homes, contributing to one of Africa’s most severe internal displacement crises.

Internal discontent within the armed forces resulted in a coup on January 24, 2022, which ousted the elected President, Roch Marc Christian Kabore. Subsequently, on September 30, Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who had been Kabore’s adversary, was himself overthrown by the 34-year-old Traore.