Burkina Faso: When Ibrahim Traoré meets the expectations of the Burkinabe People

If there’s one trait often attributed to country leaders and politicians in general, it’s that of illusionism. This isn’t to cast aspersions on leaders, but many of them have accustomed their populations to enticing promises during campaigns to seduce the electorate or during speeches. However, these grand words are often shelved and never fulfilled. Nevertheless, some Heads of State stand out by their punctuality and prefer actions over grandiose speeches. Upon taking power, President Ibrahim Traoré revealed the reasons behind the events of September 30, 2022.

The objectives of the MPSR leader were clear and precise: to eradicate the terrorism that has plagued Burkina Faso for years, restore peace and stability, and set the country on the path to development. Without delay, he tackled these issues head-on, backing every promise with actions that exceeded expectations. His steps and decisions immediately set him apart from his predecessors, who had approached the issue of terrorism with a lack of urgency, possibly due to ineffective strategies or a lack of will.

Traoré has focused on strengthening the military by increasing personnel, acquiring state-of-the-art war equipment, and reorganizing the army. These efforts have significantly enhanced the combat capabilities of the forces on the ground, which now outnumber and outmatch enemy forces both numerically and materially. Beyond these military measures, Captain Ibrahim Traoré has also addressed corruption—a significant impediment to the country’s development—and other sources that fuel terrorism.

The increased power of combat forces, the considerable reduction in terrorist attacks, significant victories on the ground, and the return of many internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their localities are some of the outcomes of this determined and masterful strategy implemented by the transition government. This shift in favor of the nation fosters hope among the Burkinabe people, who see President Traoré as the ideal leader to guide the country towards the much-desired sovereignty and development. This explains the support rallies organized by the population in various regions, expressing their gratitude to the transition government, encouraging it, and reaffirming their unwavering support.

Sadia Nyaoré