Ibrahim Traoré: Reshaping Power in West Africa

Ibrahim Traoré: A Rising Power in West Africa's Political Landscape
Friday, February 21, 2025

Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who has led Burkina Faso since orchestrating a coup in September 2022, is reshaping the nation’s political environment. The 37-year-old military leader took control by ousting Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henri Damiba, under whom he had initially served as a loyal officer during a previous coup earlier that year. His rise to power marks a pivotal moment in Burkina Faso’s political trajectory and the broader West African context, where the country has emerged as a key player in regional shifts, notably in the decision to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Traoré's Early Life and Military Background

Born in 1988 in the small town of Bondokuy, situated between Burkina Faso's second and fourth largest cities, Bobo Dioulasso and Ouahigouya, Traoré's journey began in his homeland. He completed his secondary education in Bobo Dioulasso before moving to the capital, Ouagadougou, where he pursued higher education at the University of Ouagadougou. At 22, Traoré joined the military, where he underwent officer training at the Georges Namoano Military Academy in Pô, graduating as a second lieutenant in 2012.

By 2014, Traoré had been promoted to lieutenant and deployed as a peacekeeper with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). His later assignments in northern Burkina Faso, as part of a counterterrorism unit, eventually led to his promotion to captain in 2020.

The Rise to Power: A New Era for Burkina Faso

In January 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Damiba led a coup against President Roch Marc Kaboré. Traoré, appointed to lead an artillery regiment, found himself thrust into a growing political storm. The public and military dissatisfaction with Damiba’s handling of Burkina Faso’s security situation, particularly following a deadly ambush, set the stage for Traoré’s own coup later that year. With his leadership, Burkina Faso’s military junta overthrew Damiba, consolidating power in a nation already struggling with violent extremism.

The Popularity and Challenges of Traoré’s Rule

Since assuming control, Traoré’s leadership has sparked mixed reactions. While some local media portray him as a popular figure, likening him to the iconic revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara, the comparison remains superficial. Though both men rose to power in their 30s, Traoré’s tenure is much more unstable. Sankara, revered as a Marxist reformer, was seen as a force of ideological change in the 1980s. In contrast, Traoré faces a divided military, with many officers not involved in either of the two recent coups, highlighting the fragmented nature of the Burkinabe armed forces.

Traoré has sought to solidify his control by restructuring the military and increasing defense funding through various state revenue sources, including taxes and mining. He has also mobilized a civilian militia known as the Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland, though reports suggest that conscription has been used to bolster the ranks, with limited success in curbing violence. Despite these efforts, the security situation remains dire, and the junta’s violent suppression of dissenting voices, including journalists and political leaders, has fueled concerns over Traoré’s long-term legitimacy.

External Influence: Russian Engagement and Anti-Western Sentiment

The 2022 coup caught the attention of foreign powers, particularly Russia. In the aftermath, the shadowy Wagner Group, a private military contractor with links to the Russian government, has been reported to provide support for Traoré’s regime, especially along the Mali border. Russian information campaigns have also capitalized on anti-French sentiment, placing blame on France for the country’s struggles and reinforcing Traoré’s narrative of Western interference. The expulsion of French forces from Burkina Faso soon followed, signaling a shift towards Russian-backed security solutions, though the actual number of Russian operatives in the country remains relatively low.

A Deteriorating Security Landscape

Under Traoré’s leadership, Burkina Faso has witnessed a dramatic increase in violent extremism. Over 3,000 violent events linked to militant Islamist groups have been recorded since he took office, a 20 percent rise from the preceding years. The number of fatalities from such violence has nearly doubled, and the insurgency has spread to nearly all regions of the country, including areas along its southern border. In 2024, Burkina Faso endured its deadliest year yet, with over 6,300 deaths attributed to militant violence. Despite claims by the junta of thwarted coup attempts and heightened security measures, the situation on the ground remains precarious.

The humanitarian crisis has worsened, with an estimated 3 million people displaced by violence. Furthermore, the ongoing conflict has led to significant disruptions in education, with many students unable to attend school due to the instability. The junta’s response, including harsh crackdowns on dissent and forced conscription, has only exacerbated the country’s challenges.

A Fragile Future for Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso's future under Traoré remains uncertain. The country’s military has long been a dominant political force, but the escalating insurgency and internal instability threaten to push the nation toward collapse. While Traoré seeks to position himself as a reformer, the political, economic, and security consequences of his rule are likely to reverberate for decades. Burkina Faso's struggle is emblematic of the broader challenges facing the Sahel region, where fragile governments, extremist violence, and foreign interference continue to shape the future of West Africa.