On Sept. 30, 2022, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, president of Burkina Faso, was placed into office after a military coup. Traoré has done what few leaders dare to do: He’s KEPT HIS WORD. Traoré stands for people. Capt. Ibrahim Traoré is one of the most fearless, unapologetic leaders in the world right now.
Where is Burkina Faso? And why should you care?
If you don’t know much about Burkina Faso, don’t worry—you’re not alone. The mainstream media barely talks about it, and that’s not an accident.
Burkina Faso is a landlocked nation in West Africa, bordered by Niger, Benin and Mali. It may not be on your daily news feed, but what’s happening there right now is historic. This country is proving that an African nation can stand tall without utilizing Western aid, funding or military support.
Most politicians make big promises and then sell out the people the moment they get into power. Traoré? He’s different.
His first move as president? Kicking the French military out of Burkina Faso.
For decades, France kept troops in Burkina Faso under the excuse of “security cooperation.” But let’s be real – they weren’t there to protect Burkinabè citizens. They were there to protect France’s economic interests. France had access to Burkina Faso’s natural wealth, while Burkinabè citizens struggled.
Traoré saw through the lies and made it clear: No more French troops. No more Western control. No more exploitation.
But he didn’t stop there. He also canceled contracts with corrupt foreign corporations like Endeavour Mining, Orano and African Minerals, cutting off outsiders who were bleeding the country dry.
For the first time in a long time, Burkina Faso was calling its own shots.
Building a nation that stands on its own
Real independence isn’t just about removing foreign soldiers – it’s about making sure your country doesn’t have to rely on outside help to survive.
Traoré knew that true sovereignty meant self-sufficiency. So, instead of taking out loans with hidden strings attached, he invested in his own people.
• He bought 400 tractors and 200+ tillers to boost local agriculture.
• He built a tomato processing plant, so Burkina Faso could turn its own crops into products instead of importing from the same countries that once colonized it.
• He deployed mobile medical trucks to reach underserved communities, proving that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege.
And when the U.S. cut off USAID assistance to Burkina Faso? Traoré didn’t beg – Burkina Faso was already feeding itself. They had increased domestic rice and wheat production, proving that a nation doesn’t need Western handouts to survive.
This wasn’t just a political shift – it was a revolution in self-reliance.
Reclaiming the land for the people
One of the most groundbreaking moves Traoré has made is his land reform policy.
For years, foreign investors and corporations bought up massive amounts of land in Burkina Faso, pushing out locals who had lived there for generations. Families who had farmed their land for centuries suddenly found themselves displaced – all because outsiders wanted a bigger slice of the pie.
Sound familiar? This is colonialism 2.0.
But Traoré said, not on my watch.
Under his new policy, ALL land in Burkina Faso belongs to the country of Burkina Faso itself.
- Foreigners can lease land – but they CAN’T own it.
- The wealth of Burkina Faso stays in Burkina Faso.
- Indigenous communities are protected from land grabs.
This is HUGE. It means no more stolen land, no more exploitation, no more foreign control. It means that Burkina Faso is truly taking its country back.
The Second Coming of Sankara?
If this all sounds familiar, it’s because Burkina Faso has seen a leader like this before: Thomas Sankara.
In 1983, Sankara led a revolution to make Burkina Faso self-reliant, free from Western control and economically independent. He fought against corruption, built infrastructure, and pushed for agricultural reforms that put power back into the hands of the people.
The West couldn’t handle that. So, what happened? He was assassinated in 1987.
Now, in 2025, Traoré is picking up where Thomas Sankara left off. He’s fighting the same battle, and once again the world is watching.
We cannot let history repeat itself. We have to support Burkina Faso in its fight for true independence?
Burkina Faso: A blueprint for Africa’s future?
Traoré’s leadership isn’t just transforming Burkina Faso. It’s setting an example for the entire African continent.
For too long, African nations have been pressured into playing by Western rules. They’ve been told they need the U.S., Europe and international loans to survive.
Burkina Faso is proving that’s a lie. Africa has everything it needs and will show the world that it is able to stand on its own without outside “Conditional Aid.”
Of course, there are challenges – security threats, economic pressure, Western opposition. Capt. Traoré is showing that, with courage and the support of the country, it is possible.
For the first time in decades, Burkina Faso is putting its people first.
The Land of the Upright People is standing tall
Burkina Faso’s official name means “The Land of the Upright People.” Under President Traoré, the name has never been more fitting since Thomas Sankara.
This isn’t just about politics. This is a movement. A movement for sovereignty, dignity and true independence.
Why isn’t the Western media talking about this?
Mainstream media does not want you to know that Burkina Faso is changing the narrative as a country gaining self-sufficiency. When a country is going against the political agenda of the West, they are labeled as hostile, or removed from the algorithm.
Traoré’s leadership is bigger than Burkina Faso. It’s about the future of African sovereignty.
If you’re tired of hearing the same recycled narratives about Africa being dependent on the West, stick around. Because Burkina Faso is proving that self-determination isn’t just possible – it’s happening.
Tiy Todd
Source: SF Bayview