Burkina Faso’s transitional president, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has called on the citizens of his country to combat misinformation and the negative portrayal of Africa in the global media. During a recent visit to the Central Plateau region near the capital, Ouagadougou, Traoré reaffirmed his strong stance against Western influence in Africa, particularly in Burkina Faso, and emphasized the importance of controlling the narrative surrounding the continent.
In his speech, Traoré argued that imperialist powers are deliberately fostering chaos in African nations to make it easier for them to exploit the continent’s resources. He pointed out that despite Burkina Faso not possessing vast gold reserves, many Western countries continue to hold large quantities of precious minerals, which he sees as proof of Africa’s ongoing resource exploitation by foreign powers.
“We are no longer just fighting terrorism,” Traoré declared. “We are engaged in a fight for our independence.” He stressed that Burkina Faso’s struggle is not just against terrorist groups but against broader external forces that seek to undermine the country’s sovereignty and prevent it from fully controlling its own resources.
The president also took the opportunity to criticize Western media outlets, particularly those he believes are spreading false narratives about Africa. He warned citizens of the dangers posed by disinformation, emphasizing that controlling the narrative is now a crucial component of modern warfare. According to Traoré, misinformation is a tool used by imperialist powers to shape public opinion and maintain control over African nations.
Traoré also expressed regret for having once relied on Western media sources, specifically naming Radio France Internationale (RFI), which he now accuses of distorting the image of Africa. He urged the people of Burkina Faso to stop depending on foreign news outlets that misrepresent the continent and its struggles.
In 2022, the Burkinabe government received an offer from the French-language publication Jeune Afrique, proposing to provide services to the administration. However, Traoré declined the offer, revealing that the publication had sought to establish closer ties with his government. The refusal followed Jeune Afrique‘s suspension from Burkina Faso in September 2023 for allegedly disseminating disinformation. This action came on the heels of the government’s decision in December 2022 to suspend RFI’s broadcasting within the country for similar reasons, accusing the station of spreading false information that could potentially destabilize the nation.
Traoré’s statements reflect growing anti-Western sentiments within Burkina Faso, where the military-led government has taken a more nationalistic approach since the coup in September 2022. The suspension of foreign media and the calls for independence from Western influence are part of a broader shift in Burkina Faso’s political landscape, marked by efforts to assert greater control over its political and economic affairs.
As tensions between Burkina Faso and Western powers continue to rise, Traoré’s government is seeking to forge a path toward greater self-sufficiency and to distance itself from foreign powers that it views as contributing to the country’s instability and underdevelopment. The narrative of reclaiming independence and sovereignty appears central to the president’s vision for the future of Burkina Faso, especially in a time of growing regional security concerns.
