Rise to Power

In 2022, Captain Ibrahim Traoré staged a coup d'état, ousting interim leader Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who had himself seized power earlier. Traoré justified the takeover on the grounds of Damiba’s failure to contain Burkina Faso’s escalating jihadist insurgency. His bold rhetoric of restoring national sovereignty and breaking colonial ties quickly resonated with many across Africa, earning him a reputation as a revolutionary figure.

Promises and Progress

Over two years into his rule, Traoré has defied multiple coup attempts and assassination plots, consolidating his image as a resilient leader. His government expelled French troops and moved to reclaim greater control over Burkina Faso’s natural resources.

Domestically, he has promoted industrial growth, including the establishment of two tomato-processing plants and the unveiling of ITAOUA, the country’s first 100% locally designed and assembled electric vehicle in 2025. Reports suggest he cut top government salaries by 30%, boosted civil servant pay by 50%, and refused a presidential salary himself—though independent verification remains scarce.

The World Bank reported a GDP growth of 5.5% in 2024, raising the economy to $21.9 billion. Burkina Faso has also rejected International Monetary Fund (IMF) loans and withdrawn from ECOWAS alongside Mali and Niger, dismissing the bloc as an extension of Western interests.

Shadows Over Leadership

Despite these strides, critics argue that Traoré’s leadership is far from transparent. Human rights organizations accuse his government of silencing dissent and targeting the press. Human Rights Watch reported the abduction of three journalists in March 2025, while more than a dozen foreign outlets have been banned. Such actions make independent reporting from Burkina Faso increasingly difficult.

At the same time, violence has surged. Independent monitors report record levels of jihadist attacks, with Al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claiming responsibility for mass killings, including 200 soldiers in May 2025 and at least 280 attacks in the first half of the year—double the figures of 2024.

The Burkinabé army itself has been accused of involvement in civilian massacres, with one early 2025 incident reportedly leaving 130 villagers dead. Survivor testimonies suggest residents were forced to dig trenches before attackers executed them.

A Nation in Crisis

Despite Traoré’s efforts to project strength, he controls only about half of Burkina Faso’s territory; the rest is dominated by jihadist groups. Millions have been displaced, with the Norwegian Refugee Council labeling it the most neglected humanitarian crisis in the world.

The paradox of Traoré’s leadership lies in his simultaneous popularity as an anti-colonial icon and criticism as an authoritarian figure presiding over worsening insecurity.

Conclusion

Captain Ibrahim Traoré embodies both hope and controversy. While hailed as a revolutionary liberating Burkina Faso from colonial influence, his record on human rights, freedom of the press, and counterterrorism paints a far more complex picture. The future of Burkina Faso—and Traoré’s leadership—hangs precariously in the balance between progress and peril.