Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré assumed leadership, Burkina Faso has embarked on a transformative journey to reclaim its sovereignty and secure its territory against terrorist threats.
The nation’s armed forces, reinvigorated under his command, have reportedly neutralized over 13,000 terrorists according to Sahel-based conflict monitors—a significant blow to insurgent groups destabilizing the region.
Military Success meets Hybrid warfare
As Burkina Faso makes tangible progress on the battlefield, a different kind of confrontation has emerged. Forces opposed to the country’s resurgence appear to have shifted tactics from armed conflict to information warfare.
International media outlets—including Jeune Afrique, RFI, and Le Monde Afrique—are accused of running systematic disinformation campaigns aimed at:
- Undermining public trust in national institutions
- Distorting reports on security operations
- Creating artificial divisions within Burkinabe society
Yet the reality on the ground tells a different story:
✔ Liberated territories returning to government control
✔ Strengthened civil-military cooperation in vulnerable regions
✔ Growing national solidarity behind the security forces’ efforts
The Sovereignty challenge: Vigilance in the digital age
This new phase of conflict presents unique challenges. Burkina Faso must now :
- Build media literacyto help citizens identify manipulation
- Counter disinformationwith transparent, fact-based communication
- Strengthen cyber defensesagainst foreign influence operations
The road ahead
Captain Traoré’s administration faces a dual battlefront: maintaining military momentum while safeguarding national unity against psychological warfare.
The Burkinabe people’s demonstrated resilience—both on the battlefield and in confronting information attacks—suggests a growing national capacity to shape its own destiny.
Papa IBRAHIMA
