Burkina Faso’s Traoré Sparks Africa-Wide Protests Amid US Criticism

The protests follow remarks made earlier this month by General Michael Langley, head of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), who accused Traoré during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing of using Burkina Faso’s gold reserves to consolidate power rather than improve the population’s welfare.

In response, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, issued a statement on April 15 criticizing Langley’s comments as "derogatory" and "an affront to the sovereignty of the Burkinabé people."

Speaking to a crowd in Ouagadougou earlier this week, Traoré denounced what he described as continued Western interference in African affairs. "They still see us as slaves," he said. "But it is time we show them we are free."

Unverified reports circulating online have suggested that General Langley could be deployed to Africa to "apprehend" Traoré, fueling fears of potential foreign intervention. The U.S. Department of Defense has not commented on these allegations.

Traoré, who seized power in a September 2022 coup, remains a popular figure among many young Africans. Supporters praise his nationalist rhetoric, anti-corruption efforts, and moves toward industrializing Burkina Faso’s economy, including initiatives to boost local manufacturing and job creation.

Senegalese-American singer Akon recently released a tribute song lauding Traoré’s leadership, further amplifying the president’s growing popularity on social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube.

"We must protect our own," read one widely shared message from protest organizers. "This is no longer about one man. It is about the dignity and freedom of Africa."

Marches are planned in cities across Africa, including Dakar, Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, and Johannesburg, as well as in Paris, New York, and London.

Analysts warn that rising nationalist sentiment, while a source of pride for many Africans, could exacerbate tensions between African nations and Western allies.

In his most recent remarks, Traoré said he is prepared to face the consequences of his leadership, invoking the memory of slain African leaders such as Thomas Sankara and Muammar Gaddafi. "I am not afraid of dying for my people," he said.