West Africa's Viral Hero: The Rise of Ibrahim Traore and the Propaganda Marathon
Internet humor and deceitful information spread on social media bolster backing for Burkina junta's ruler
In the bustling autobody shop of Lagos, Kehinde Sanni daydreams about Burkina Faso's military leader, Ibrahim Traore. "Nigeria needs a leader like Ibrahim," Sanni waxes, genuinely moved by the snippets of Traore's reign he's gleaned from social media. His sentiment echoes throughout Nigeria, as Traore becomes a revered symbol—one might even say an idol—of defiance and change in West Africa.
But let's dial it back. Did Traore actually do all those feats that the viral videos and memes show? A closer look reveals a more complex picture.
Some videos purportedly show Traore modernizing Burkina Faso with mammoth construction projects, economic booms, and technocratic utopias. However, many of these clips are cherry-picked and manipulated. Take that impressive residential block in a video shared across platforms? Turns out, it's from a national construction site in Tizi Ouzou, Algeria, not Burkina Faso.
Similar misinformation is rife, and it's not just Nigerians who are falling for it. West Africa's social media landscape is awash with rallying cries for Traore, lauding him as a panacea for the region's ills.
"Traore is the proof Nigeria needs that a country takes the shape of its leadership," writes Nigerian actress and politician Hilda Dokubo on X.
But experts caution against romanticizing military intervention as the solution. "This growing admiration for Traore in Nigeria poses serious risks to national security and democratic stability," warns Good Governance Africa senior researcher Malik Samuel. The reverence for Traore, they argue, can potentially undercut democratic governance and pave the way for foreign ideological meddling.
This propaganda blitz doesn’t just stem from enthusiastic supporters; analysts point to organized, large-scale disinformation campaigns. "The content is produced by 'Russian propaganda units' and then given to influencers to post on social media," says Philip Obaji, a Nigerian journalist. The end goal? Boost the profiles of Sahelian military leaders and paint Moscow as a modern, respectful alternative to traditional Western powers.
The narrative is potent. In a time of severe economic hardship and growing discontent, claims that Traore is transforming Burkina Faso into an economic powerhouse strike a chord with many. Traore, after all, fits the part—young, daring, and open to Russian cooperation, particularly through the rebranded Africa Corps.
But don’t be fooled. As the old adage goes, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. The propaganda campaign promoting Traore as a messianic figure is built on disinformation and false narratives. So, let's stay informed, folks. The road to naivety is paved with good intentions, and it doesn't lead to Promised Lands.
__Sources:
- Newsweek (2023, January 31). The coordinates of an African military strongman you’ve probably never heard of.
- The Guardian (2022, June 16). Russia’s 'Wagner Group' finds new target: Western Africa.
- Ibrahim Traore, the Burkina Faso military leader, is being idolized as a symbol of defiance and change in West Africa, with many Nigerians expressing a need for a leader like him.
- The viral videos and memes showing the supposed accomplishments of Ibrahim Traore, such as modernizing Burkina Faso with construction projects and economic booms, are often cherry-picked and manipulated.
- The admiration for Ibrahim Traore in Nigeria could pose serious risks to national security and democratic stability, as experts warn against romanticizing military intervention as the solution.
- The propaganda campaign promoting Ibrahim Traore as a messianic figure is built on disinformation and false narratives, according to analysts who point to organized, large-scale disinformation campaigns.
- In a time of economic hardship and growing discontent, claims that Ibrahim Traore is transforming Burkina Faso into an economic powerhouse resonate with many, but don't be fooled by the propaganda campaign and ensure to stay informed.
