In a massive display of solidarity, thousands of people gathered in Ougadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, to express their support for transitional President Captain Ibrahim Traoré. The rally was sparked by recent comments made by General Michaël Langley, the head of the United States’ military in Africa, who accused Traoré of using the country’s mining resources to benefit the junta rather than the people. This accusation has ignited widespread outrage among the Burkinabé population, with many taking to the streets to voice their discontent.
The protesters, armed with placards and whistles, made their discontent known, with Burkinabé musician Ocibi Joan being one of the vocal critics of General Langley’s remarks. “Burkina Faso is not against anyone, but we will no longer tolerate looting,” he declared. “The general is a liar. We own it, we use it whenever we want, and sell it to whomever we want.” This sentiment was echoed by demonstrator Haroun Sawadogo, who warned that any attempt to eliminate Captain Traoré would be met with fierce resistance from the people. Sawadogo drew parallels with the 1987 assassination, emphasizing that the events of the past would not be repeated and that Captain Traoré would be defended at all costs.
The timing of the rally is significant, coming as it does on the heels of the military authorities’ announcement that they had uncovered a plot to overthrow the government. This revelation has only served to galvanize support for the junta, with several members of parliament, including Prime Minister Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, attending the gathering. In a fiery address, Ouédraogo told the crowd that the time had come for Burkina Faso to assert its independence and “never again kneel before the world.” He expressed his desire for the people of Burkina Faso and the broader Sahel region to free themselves permanently from external influences.
The scale of the rally, which saw demonstrators travel from all corners of the country, marks the largest show of support for the junta since Captain Traoré seized power in a coup in September 2022. As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that the people of Burkina Faso are resolute in their support for their leader and determined to defend their country’s sovereignty. The international community will be watching with keen interest as events in this West African nation continue to develop.
