Junta in Burkina Faso gathers backing from followers following reported thwarted coup attempt
Firebrand Rallies Ignite Streets of Ouagadougou
Raucous crowds stormed the bustling squares of Ouagadougou in April 2025, hoisting portraits of Captain Ibrahim Traore and waving Burkinabe and Russian flags. These demonstrators, adorned in a sea of signs, chanted slogans like "Down with imperialism and its local lackeys" and "Full support for President Ibrahim Traore and the people of Burkina Faso." The collective show of solidarity echoed across the continent, as people gathered in unity to express their backing of the junta leader.
This rally, one of the biggest pro-junta demonstrations since Captain Traoré's seizure of power in September 2022, provides a snapshot of the deep rooted support the young president has garnered in Burkina Faso amidst ongoing jihadist attacks that have terrorized the country for over a decade. In April 2025, the junta claimed to have disrupted a "major plot" orchestrated by masterminds in neighboring Côte d’Ivoire, leading to several top army officials' arrests.
Captain Traoré has long accused Côte d’Ivoire of harboring his opponents, allegations that neighboring country continually denies. Over the course of more than a year, the junta has detained numerous military officers, including General Evrard Somda, the former gendarmerie chief of staff, on charges of plotting to destabilize republican institutions.
The central government consistently represses dissent, particularly within civil society and the media, citing the anti-jihadist battle as a justification for their actions. Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo addressed the rally, which was also attended by several ministers and MPs, and called by the National Coordination of the Civilian Vigil (CNAVC)—a coalition of pro-junta civil society groups.
"We must stand up more than ever because when the people stand up, the imperialists tremble," the prime minister told the crowd. Similar rallies condemning "imperialist hypocrisy" occurred in Burkina Faso's second biggest city, Bobo Dioulasso, and in Boromo.
"We, peoples who love justice and sovereignty, affirm our unwavering solidarity with the heroic struggle of the Burkinabe people for their emancipation," a CNAVC spokesman said. Some, CNAVC secretary general, declared, "The people are standing up, mobilized and united behind Captain Ibrahim Traore. We will never be able to harm our president or destabilize our country. We are a shield."
Adama Kima, one of the organizers, addressed the nation on television, citing the rally as an opportunity to condemn remarks attributed to Michael Langley, US Africa Command's chief general, who accused Captain Traoré of utilizing Burkina Faso's gold reserves for personal gain.
A Shift in Alliances?
Like its neighbors Niger and Mali, Burkina Faso has moved away from its former colonial master France and has Foster a closer relationship with Russia. The country, along with Mali and Niger, has forged the Alliance of Sahel States, emphasizing stronger regional security cooperation after a string of military coups in the region. However, tensions persist, particularly with Côte d’Ivoire, as leaders of the April 2025 coup attempt were allegedly stationed there, creating complexities in regional dynamics.
A Note: This overview is intended to provide context and supplement the article. The provided data is subject to change and may not represent the precise, up-to-date situation.
- The rally in Ouagadougou in April 2025, led by Captain Ibrahim Traore's supporters, extended support not just in Burkina Faso, but across West Africa.
- In April 2025, the junta, under Captain Traore, accused neighboring Cote d'Ivoire of plotting against Burkina Faso's republican institutions.
- The allies of Captain Traore have transitioned from France, the former colonial master, to a closer relationship with Russia, forming the Alliance of Sahel States.
- The junta, under Captain Traore, has been accused of utilizing Burkina Faso's gold reserves for personal gain, an allegation vehemently denied by the government.
- Amidst ongoing jihadist attacks and allegations of imperialist hypocrisy, West Africa’s political landscape in 2025 is marked by shifting alliances, repression, and complex regional dynamics.
- As the Alliance of Sahel States evolves, tensions persist with Cote d'Ivoire, creating complexities in the regional political arena due to alleged support for coup attempts.
