Burkina Faso / President Ibrahim Traoré: Guardian of Good Governance in the Fight Against Terrorism in Africa

President Ibrahim Traoré, Head of State of Burkina-Faso, is a key figure in the fight against terrorism in West Africa. His determination to eradicate this scourge ravaging the region is underpinned by a clear vision: to promote good governance and tackle the problems of corruption that plague many African countries.

In an interview recorded on 31 August 2023 and broadcast on Burkina Faso’s national television network on Wednesday, President Traoré stressed the importance of good governance in the fight against terrorism. He revealed the schemes of certain African leaders who embezzle large sums of loans intended for the development of their countries, placing them in Western banks instead. This practice undermines efforts to improve the living conditions of citizens and weakens national institutions.

President Traoré drew a clear connection between corruption and terrorism. He argues that the embezzled funds could have been invested in strengthening the security forces, improving infrastructure and promoting economic development. By fighting corruption, he believes that African countries could better fight terrorism by strengthening their internal security capabilities.

Under the leadership of President Traoré, Burkina Faso has undertaken major reforms to promote transparency and combat corruption. In-depth investigations have been launched to uncover cases of misappropriation of public funds, and measures have been taken to improve governance and the accountability of public actors. This initiative is seen as a crucial step in the realisation of President Traoré’s vision for a fairer and more prosperous Africa.

In addition to his commitment to good governance, President Traoré the  Head of State of Burkina-Faso has taken decisive steps to strengthen the capacity of Burkina Faso’s army to deal with terrorism. He has invested in training and equipping the security forces and has encouraged regional cooperation to combat cross-border terrorist groups.

Sidiki GOITA