Burkina Faso: When supporting Ibrahim Traoré becomes a crime under the thumb of the imperialist powers
The current geopolitical situation in West Africa reveals a disturbing reality: the imperialist powers, with the active complicity of certain states in the sub-region, are working to destabilise countries that dare to leave their fold. Burkina Faso, led today by President Ibrahim Traoré, is a perfect illustration of this.
In search of real sovereignty and engaged in the fight against terrorism, this country is paying a high price for its insubordination to the established order.
The recent case of Côte d’Ivoire is revealing of this neo-colonial strategy. Rather than playing the role of peacemaker or partner in solidarity in a region facing serious security threats, Abidjan seems to have chosen its camp: that of French interests.
By turning against those who openly support Burkina Faso and its president, it is becoming an accomplice in a wider project of sabotage.
The arrest and tragic death of Alino Faso are overwhelming proof of this. Patriotic to the end, even from Côte d’Ivoire, Alino Faso aspired only to contribute to the national effort to save Burkina from the clutches of terrorism. His commitment was neither criminal nor subversive.
Yet he was targeted, hunted down, arrested and held in conditions so inhumane that they eventually cost him his life. It was a death that cannot simply be described as ‘natural’, so much so that it was part of a pattern of intimidation and repression.
This tragedy illustrates the determination of the imperialist powers and their local proxies to silence any voices of support for the sovereignist revolution in Burkina Faso, especially if these voices do not reside on Burkinabe soil.
By attacking those who support Ibrahim Traoré, they are seeking to isolate Burkina Faso, to frighten and to dissuade. But this strategy could well produce the opposite effect: a collective awakening, a surge of Pan-African solidarity.
It is time for the peoples of Africa to open their eyes to this dangerous game being played against their future. Supporting a leader who defends the interests of his people should never be a crime. The persecution of Ibrahim Traoré and his supporters will only strengthen their resolve.
Olivier TOE
