Burkina Faso : Massive support from the Burkinabe people for the withdrawal from ECOWAS and the transition under president Ibrahim Traoré’s Leadership
On Sunday, February 4, 2024, Kaya’s parade ground witnessed an impressive gathering organized by the « The Unique Voice of Sanmatenga » (VUS) association in support of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Participants also expressed strong opposition to any attempt to destabilize the ongoing transition.
This demonstration follows the call made on September 29, 2023, by VUS for a constitutional review, emphasizing the consistency of their commitment. Waving Burkinabe and Russian flags, as well as wearing T-shirts featuring Captain Ibrahim Traoré and Colonel Assimi Goïta, the protesters strongly criticized ECOWAS for its lack of assistance in addressing the security and humanitarian crisis in the Sahel region.
The main demand of the participants is the withdrawal of the three countries from ECOWAS, also denouncing the subordination of the sub-regional organization to France and imperialists in imposed sanctions. The present artists even improvised songs in appreciation of the Heads of State of the Alliance des États du Sahel (AES) for this bold decision.
A symbolic gesture marked the approval of the withdrawal: a coffin adorned with the ECOWAS logo and topped with a red cross was burned amid cheers from the crowd. Issa Lagvaré, the organizer’s spokesperson, believes this courageous action will contribute to the total liberation of the three states.
Numerous speakers, from the representative of the chief of the Sanmatnega canton to the deputy of the Centre-Nord region, expressed unwavering support for the decision to leave ECOWAS.
They reaffirmed their commitment to the Volontaires pour la Défense de la Patrie (VDP), the Forces de Défense et de Sécurité (FDS), and the ongoing transition. This demonstration of solidarity reflects strong popular support for President Ibrahim Traoré’s political choices.
