Pax Africana — Of Captain Ibrahim Traore and the eternal barnacles at the gate

CC™ Editor's Corner

By Editor-in-Chief 

The tragedy of the geopolitical dynamics of African politics is how the West (namely the European Union and the United States) consistently adopt the same template in their quest to destabilize and dislodge any semblance of structure, organization and development in Africa. 

And they continue to adopt the same time-tested and proven approach of using an our own ‘organic infrastructure’ — institutions, groups and individuals, to demonize and then ultimately destroy their target. First, it was Kwame Nkrumah, then Patrice Lumumba, Muritala Mohammed, Thomas Sankara, and Muammar Gaddafi.

The latest target of these eternal barnacles — is the indefatigable and indomitable Lion of Africa, Captain Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso.

The usual suspects never retreat in their sanguineous quest for control of Africa’s resources. What makes this even more unfortunate is the debilitating dearth of visionary leadership on the African continent as a whole, save for a few like Traore. In addition to the threat posed by the West, an even greater and more potent threat is the one from within and right next door, from the so-called Middle-East, the Gulf states, to be precise. The Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have indeed been accused of fueling sectarian violence and jihadist movements across Africa, often under the guise of religious or developmental aid, with the acquiescence of their western collaborators, namely France and the United States. 

Traore’s rejection of Saudi Arabia’s mosque-building offer, a move widely interpreted as a soft-power push (by the Saudis) to expand Wahhabi influence, demonstrates a keen awareness of the ideological and geopolitical traps that have ensnared other African nations.

Africa is indeed at a crossroads and Ibrahim Traore is merely a precursor to the impending wave of African Nationalism. The spirit of Thomas Sankara, Patrice Lumumba and Kwame Nkrumah lives on, but their successors must learn from history, and NOT repeat it! 

The rebirth of Africa, while being rooted in pragmatic revolution, one that arms itself with knowledge, economic independence, and unshakable cultural confidence, must also be spiritual. The latter is an unabashed call for cultural decolonization through pan-African unity and a return to pre-colonial value systems. Only then can Africa truly break the chains — both old and new. 

© Boyejo Coker. All Rights Reserved

CAPTAIN IBRAHIM TRAORÉ - AN ENVISIONED SERVANT AND COURAGEOUS LEADER

CC™ PersPective

By Yahaya Balogun

In a recent speech to Burkina Faso youths, Captain Ibrahim Traoré said to write an informative article on agriculture, science, and technology on social media. It will have fewer than one hundred likes, but posting women's nudity, disinformation, and misinformation stuff will garner over a million likes. Captain Ibrahim Traoré's statement cannot be farfetched in today's netizens' African social media dilemmas. 

Captain Ibrahim Traoré was born March 14, 1988. He is a military officer from Burkina Faso who has served as the country's interim leader since the coup d'état in September 2022. This putsch removed the previous interim president, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. At 36, Traoré is recognized as the second youngest current head of state globally, following Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir. He is also the youngest president currently in office.

Ibrahim Traoré emerges as one of the youngest political figures on the international scene today. Since seizing control via a military coup, he has introduced a novel perspective to African governance, effecting a significant shift in the concept of participatory leadership within two years. His leadership has led to notable advancements in various sectors, including agriculture, oil, healthcare, private enterprise, and public administration, coupled with a renewal of military discipline and national identity. Captain Traoré is poised to confront Africa's governance challenges by promoting the continent's decolonization. As a symbol of optimism for Burkina Faso, this vibrant young leader seems determined to reveal and honor Africa's rich socio-cultural legacy.

Recently, sources reported that Captain Ibrahim Traoré turned down a proposal from Saudi Arabia's government to construct 200 mosques in Burkina Faso. The astute Traoré likely activated his keen awareness, recognizing the hidden motives behind the ambitions of the young authoritarian leader, Muhammad Bin Salman, of Saudi Arabia. Captain Ibrahim Traoré is emphatic that religious extremism should not align with the values of unity and progress that the revolutionary leader represents for the Burkinabe people. Instead, he fosters inclusivity and promotes shared ideals that strengthen his country.

In the tapestry of contemporary human history, Africa has etched a complex and distressing identity for itself—a label that has shrouded its sociopolitical terrain and cast the continent into a shadowy void of the past.

The political landscape across Africa has often fallen short of its aspirational goals, resulting in widespread disillusionment and a sense of neglect among its citizenry regarding governance. From the era of post-colonial independence to today, the lofty principles of democracy, prosperity, and equitable distribution of resources have frequently been compromised by various impediments, including corruption, authoritarianism, and ineffective leadership.

Instead of fostering an environment conducive to transparency, accountability, and meaningful citizen engagement in the political process, numerous governments have resorted to repressive tactics that suppress dissent and overlook the urgent needs of the populace. For many Africans, the aspirations for an improved quality of life—characterized by access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities—remain largely unfulfilled.

Consequently, a substantial portion of the population faces the harsh realities of poor governance, which often manifests in inadequate public services, pervasive poverty, and deficient infrastructure. The initial optimism for a brighter future has been eclipsed by disillusionment, as ruling elites tend to prioritize personal interests over the welfare of their constituents, exacerbating feelings of betrayal among the very individuals they pledged to support. In this milieu, the prospect of political transformation appears remote as citizens continue to strive for the fundamental rights and dignity they are entitled to in their everyday existence.

Captain Ibrahim Traoré is the modern embodiment of Thomas Sankara, a figure hailed as one of Africa's most remarkable leaders. Sankara's approach to leadership—marked by inclusivity and compassion—can potentially revolutionize Burkina Faso and Africa. However, the visionary life of this revolutionary figure was tragically cut short by betrayal from a friend turned foe. The young Captain Ibrahim Traoré is resolutely committed to reshaping and harnessing the timeless legacy of Thomas Sankara for the benefit of Burkina Faso.

The dawn of a new Africa seems just around the corner, thanks to the transformative vision of the bold leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. If this visionary young man continues his transformational leadership, Burkina Faso may become the new China or America of Africa. Additionally, Captain Ibrahim Traoré's spontaneous and groundbreaking oratory holds the power to spark a wave of revolutionary fervor throughout the continent. To liberate Africa from the grips of corruption and neocolonialism, we must see a surge of passionate leaders like Captain Ibrahim Traoré emerge to champion the cause of African liberation and emancipation across Africa.