Sad Moments in Mali : Fallen Brothers and the Black Winter

 

Map of Mali with its capital Bamako

Over the past week, there have been severe confrontations/battles in Mali between the government forces backed by the proud people of Mali and the jihadists forces funded by the West. These intense attacks culminated on April 25, 2026, with the deaths of the Malian Defense Minister, General Sadio Camara, members of his family, and countless soldiers and civilians. We have learned that the attacks were complex, coordinated, and simultaneous.

General Assimi Goita

As always, the Western media celebrated, and wondered where the Malian president was, and told us that the rebels were now in total control of Kidal. On Tuesday, President General Assimi Goïta, addressed the nation, and told us that, “A violent halt was put to the attackers who sought to establish a climate of violence.” These attacks, as President Assimi Goïta shared, were “coordinated [and] of an extreme gravity.”

ECOWAS Members – old map

The attacks were quite complex, as they were very sophisticated; the bandits were no longer thugs driving simple motorcycles, but advanced military vehicles instead, had high technology, missiles, and even satellite access for such coordination, and much more. As you can see, common bandits cannot have access to such high tech or intelligence: where do they get the money? It is clear that they are funded by the West, with France at the forefront, Ukraine, the E.U. and thus NATO, and the ECOWAS countries which are governed by puppets of France (Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Benin, Algeria, Mauritania). Remember that American general who lied about Ibrahim Traoré last summer visited several of these countries to establish other centers for the AFRICOM (What are American Troops doing in Nigeria ?)? This time, the jihadists hit almost simultaneously the cities of Gao, Kidal, Mopti, and Kati. You can see that this is an army, and not just ‘rebels’ as labelled by the western media, directly financed by the West with France in the front. It is said that they are numbering several thousand men.

Flag of Mali
Flag of Mali

President Goïta said, “Thanks to the promptness and professionalism of the armed and security forces, the attackers – whose objectives was to instill a climate of widespread violence in the affected localities –were  dealt a decisive blow. Thanks to the calm of the personnel deployed and the maintenance of a cohesive chain of command, the enemy’s nefarious plot was thwarted, resulting in the neutralization of a significant number of attackers. As I speak to you now, security measures have been reinforced; the situation is under control, and operations involving combing, search, intelligence gathering, and security consolidation remain ongoing.”

 

AES Logo

This, as you can see, is the black winter (dark winter), President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso referred to at the beginning of the year. However, what the enemy has forgotten is that Assimi Goïta, Ibrahim Traoré, Abdourahamane Tchiani are all proud descendants of the great Mali Empire, Songhai Empire, Kanem-Bornu Empire, and offspring of the mighty Sundiata Keïta, Kankan MusaSamori Touré, and so many others; these are men whose ancestors have been fighting for their freedom for generations (like Malians fighting the French forces at the battle of Sikasso). The fight for freedom did not start yesterday in 2020, but has been ongoing for centuries. As President Goïta said, “Our people have made the choice, the choice of sovereignty and dignity. The choice is the expression of a national will, fully embraced and boldly asserted. It comes at a price, and we are fully aware of it. This choice is the only path worth taking if we wish to offer our children a future that is free, just, and prosperous.” As president Goïta told us in 2022, No Sacrifice is too Big for this Country.

Industrialization in Africa : Ibrahim Traoré Tells it All

President Capitaine
Ibrahim Traore (Source: sig.gov.bf)

In his April 2, 2026 interview, the President of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traoré, showed, through simple examples, like his illustrious predecessor Thomas Sankara, that true sovereignty is impossible without industrialization.

He used simple everyday objects, in layman’s terms, including a spoon, to illustrate how Africa remains trapped in a colonial economic model where it exports raw materials and imports the finished goods at a much higher cost. He took the example of soy beans that are grown locally, yet soy oil is imported; similarly with cotton which is produced locally, yet, clothing is imported from abroad even though there is a local industry. He said that Burkina Faso must stop exporting raw resources only to buy back manufactured items. Doesn’t this remind you of Sankara at the UN tribune? The Faso Dan Fani: Woven Cloth of the Homeland.

Faso Dan Fani

In 1986, the President of the Faso, Thomas Sankara, declared that it was important to “produce and consume Burkinabé.” Thus, Sankara declared “In all the villages of Burkina Faso, we know how to grow cotton. In all villages, women know how to spin cotton, men know how to weave it into cloth, and other men know how to sew those threads into clothes... [Dans tous les villages du Burkina Faso, l’on sait cultiver le coton. Dans tous les villages, des femmes savent filer le coton, des hommes savent tisser ce fil en pagnes et d’autres hommes savent coudre les pagnes en vêtements ]” and further “We should not be slave of what others produce [Nous ne devons pas être esclave de ce que les autres produisent].”

Fuel

Traoré argued that Africa must produce locally, adding value to its own resources instead of enriching foreign industries. Like currently, the world is held up by the energy crisis caused by the Iran war and the blockade of the strait of Ormuz. Can you imagine that some African oil-producing countries like Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, have an oil/fuel penury? How come? well, for instance, Cameroon’s oil refinery burnt down a few years back, and Cameroonian oil is exported to Europe, bought back from them to be imported into the country as cheap toxic fuel! There are countless examples like that: Swiss Firms poison Oil destined for Africa. This is why Africa’s Richest Man Dangote has built one of the world’s largest oil refineries.

Traoré explained that Burkina Faso cannot remain dependent on foreign factories for basic goods. He insisted that local transformation of resources is the only path to real independence. To come back to the spoon example, Burkina Faso exports metal ore, while foreign countries turn it into spoons or tools, and Burkina buys those finished products back.  This is not development; it is dependency!

Flag of Burkina Faso

This development must be led by Burkinabe, and Africans themselves. It cannot be dictated by foreign institutions (IMF, World Bank, UN, etc) which do not serve our interests. Africa must build its own industries, and the opportunities and job creations are endless, from the example of the spoon, plates, medicine, clothing, housing materials, etc. True Burkinabe and African sovereignty cannot be done with industrialization!

 

Ibrahim Traore’s Masterclass: Press Conference on April 2, 2026

Capitaine President Ibrahim Traore (Source: sig.gov.bf)

On April 2, 2026, President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso addressed the local and international press for more than 2 hours. He focused on several major themes central to Burkina Faso itself and its relationship with foreign powers. It was a real masterclass. He did not fall for the numerous press’ traps.

Below are some key themes he focused on:

Sovereignty and independence

Traoré emphasized that Burkina Faso must strengthen its sovereignty in all areas: political, economic, and security-related. He framed the country’s current path as a struggle for real independence, and not symbolic autonomy which many African countries have had since their ‘independence‘ in the 1960s. It is important to reclaim our sovereignty! He highlighted that Burkinabé are now in charge of their own army, and is funded and trained by Burkinabé themselves; thus the mindset and strategy have changed and lent to victories against terrorism.

“We are heirs of the revolution” by Thomas Sankara

Economic Liberation

Optimal management of our resources and end the dependency on foreign powers and for Africa to build its own systems. He reminded us, almost like President Thomas Sankara before, that we have to build and plant what we need to achieve self-sufficienty (Thomas Sankara in His WordsThomas Sankara’s Speech at the United Nations / Discours de Thomas Sankara aux Nations UniesThomas Sankara Speech on Debt and Unity“The National Economy: Independent, Self-Sufficient, and Planned at the Service of Democratic and Popular Society” — Thomas Sankara). Taking the example of a spoon that we use to eat, but yet is imported; or Africa which imports food from other countries, when it is the continent with the most arable lands in the world. Something has to change.

Security and the war against terrorism

For a country like Burkina Faso, Western-style democratic systems cannot be simply grafted or copied to a nation like his, fighting terrorism and dealing with Western embargo, and deep institutional corruption. Security and stability must come before adopting external political needs.

Democracy and Media Reactions

President Traoré said that “Burkinabé must forget democracy,” and many Western media were triggered by it. In reality, the president of the Faso (PF) was trying to say that western electoral models cannot function effectively in Burkina Faso during wartime and when it is trying to free itself from imperialist chains.  Moreover, as we have discussed here before, Africans must stop falling into the trap of democracy; the West has cheated Africa for far too long with that word called democracy that most of them do not even apply! The PF also reminded us about the “Charte du Mandé” the very first declaration of human rights in the world established in Africa and which shows that Africa’s ancestral governance should be made more relevant today and is adapted to our struggles.

Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso

Justice and institutional reform

The PF highlighted that the focus is on rebuilding institutions and creating systems that are resistant to corruption and external manipulation. He also showed how old traditional/local/ancestral governments could live in harmony with the modern republican government for the benefit of the homeland.

Africa’s geopolitical position

He positioned Burkina Faso within a broader African struggle for independence. As the leader of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), he stated that priorities would be on the operationalization of the unified force, the acceleration of regional integration, and the implementation of major economic initiatives. He urged Africans everywhere to see themselves as part of one global community which should fight for its independence.

 

Another Coup Attempt Against the President of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traoré

Capitaine President Ibrahim Traore (Source: sig.gov.bf)

In the wee hours of 2026, while our eyes were focused on Venezuela and the consequences of the American actions in the country, another event, just as earth-shattering was taking place on the African continent. There was another coup attempt on President Ibrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso which did not succeed. The government of Burkina Faso has announced that it has thwarted yet another plot aimed at killing the country’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, and disable a drone base. Burkinabes have taken to the streets in support of Traoré.

On January 6, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, disclosed that the planned coup, which was expected to be carried out late on January 3, was neutralized “thanks to the professionalism of the intelligence services.” The operation were to “[begin] with the neutralization of Comrade Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Head of State and President of Faso, either at point-blank range or through an operation to mine his residence,” … “there were to be efforts to put the drone base out of service, and a ground military intervention by external forces.” “Our intelligence services intercepted this operation in the final hours. They had planned to assassinate the head of state and then strike other key institutions, including civilian personalities,” Sana stated.

Flag of Burkina Faso

From what we have learned, the operation was financially supported from neighboring Côte d’Ivoire. The sophisticated plan had been hatched by Lt Col Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the military officer and former transition president ousted by Traoré in September 2022, the security minister said in a late-night broadcast.

Capitaine Thomas Sankara

The western media say that Ibrahim Traoré and his government are lying, or fabricating this story to gain popularity; they talk of “alleged coup”, using verbs like “claim”, or like BBC wrote, “Plot to kill Burkina Faso leader foiled, says junta [why are they still calling it a junta after 4 years? When Damiba was there, they never called it such].” This would not be the first time that the government of Côte d’Ivoire would have hands in the destabilization of Burkina Faso. It was through the Côte d’Ivoire channel and government, with help from Liberia, that our brother Thomas Sankara was taken out by France. Now, it would seem to be coming from Damiba, via Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, for the interests of France; as we know Damiba is the front-man for the foreign forces who want to destabilize the country. The goal being to decapitate Burkina Faso, and therefore the AES alliance which includes Niger and Mali.

For more, check out: Newsclick, BBC, AfricaNews, and countless others.

Who / What did We Celebrate in Africa in 2025 ?

We celebrated quite a few achievements in 2025 in Africa. Please find below a few that brought joy across the continent.

  1. AES Logo

    In January, our brothers of the Alliance des Etats du Sahel (AES) signed a joined military agreement. Last week in December, they held the second AES summit where they announced the creation of a radio, television, bank, and completion and progress on many more initiatives. The AES created a Joint Military Force. President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso succeeds to President Assimi Goïta of Mali for one year at the head of the confederation. We also salute the love shown by the brothers of Niger under President Tchiani who traveled over 1,400 km to bring fuel from Niamey to Bamako which has been under blockade by the terrorists. African Fraternity on Display in the AES.

  2. In March, the Burkinabe film “Katanga, the danse of the scorpions” won the Golden Stallion of Yennenga (Etalon d’or de Yennenga) at 2025 edition of FESPACO, one of Africa’s biggest film festivals. “Katanga, La Danse des Scorpions” by Dani Kouyaté, and FESPACO 2025: Burkina Faso Wins its First Golden Stallion in 28 years!
  3. In March also, archaeologists published in the journal Nature their discovery of the earliest known bone tools, showing evidence of their use 5 million years ago. These bone tools were found in the Olduvai Gorge, in Tanzania. The tools were carved on elephant and hippopotamus bones. Bone Tools found in Tanzania dated 1.5 million years ago.
  4. Angelique Kidjo

    In June, Franco-Beninese artist Angelique Kidjo became the First African Singer to get a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Over the years, she has won 5 Grammy awards and nominated 15 times. With a career spanning over 4 decades, she has been trained by some of Africa’s greats, and has sung and collaborated with some of the greats of the world.

  5. In June, Mali Launched a State Gold Refinery, Zimbabwe banned exports of lithium, while Cote d’Ivoire announced the discovery of large gold deposits on its territory, in the north, near the border with Burkina Faso. This month, Niger took control of its uranium, thus giving the country a true say in its development.
  6. Super Falcons defeat the Atlas Lionesses to win 10th title and become WAFCON 2024 winner (Source: BusinessDay.ng)

    At the end of July, the Nigerian Super Falcons, the Female national soccer team of Nigeria, won the Women’s African Cup of Nation (WAFCON). The Super Falcons of Nigeria defeated The Atlas Lionesses of Morocco to win the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. Similarly, the D’Tigress, Nigerian Women’s Basketball team won their 7th African Cup, by defeating Mali at  FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship in Cote d’Ivoire. Now, we hope that these ladies will make it very far at their respective World Cups and make the continent proud.

  7. Mali recovered over a billion dollar from gold companies to reinvest and give back to their populations. These are the kind of gestures that unnerve the West. Mali Recovers over a Billion $ for its Miners. What a beautiful end-of-year present to the populations!
  8. Botswana’s 4×400 relay team celebrating their gold medal (Source: Reuters/Eloisa Lopez)

    Africans shone at the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships, including Botswana which cemented its place in the athletic world by winning the country and continent’s first ever gold in 4 x 400 m relay in the men’s discipline. On Sunday, Botswana’s team of Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi edged out the United States, the winners of the last 10 world titles, in a rain-drenched race, while South Africa took third position. Africans are starting to be present in the sprint discipline and we are proud of their hard work.

  9. Map of the Nile River flow and the location of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in Africa

    This year saw the inauguration of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in September. The dam has been almost entirely domestically funded through bonds and donations of the hard working populationsThe GERD has also united Ethiopian citizens across ethnic and political divides. Inauguration of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

  10. The Timbuktu’s manuscripts have returned home after being hosted for almost a decade in Bamako. These are treasures that have been protected for centuries by local families, and they had had to move them because of the insurgency of western-funded terrorists’ attacks which had divided the country. Continuing on the artifacts subject, Great Britain and South Africa handed back Ghanaian royal artifacts. While France returned the skull of Beheaded King Toera of the Sakalava People of Madagascar 127 years after it was taken; one caveat, no genetic testing has conclusively established the identity of any of these skulls to be that of King Toera!
  11. Flag of Namibia

    Namibia made history as the only country in the world where Women hold Key Positions: women make up 57% of the government! Namibia has done what no other country in the world has ever done: the country has a female president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, vice-president Lucia Witbooi, speaker of the national assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, and secretary general of the ruling party. To the naysayers out there, remember that most of Africa has matriarchal traditions; thus it makes sense that it would be first.

  12. Map of Africa

    This past November, African countries, assembled in Algiers, united to pass a resolution to have colonial era crimes recognized – it’s about time, and let’s hope it works, and that their union keeps up. This comes up as tensions between Algeria and France intensify, culminating with Algeria passing a bill last week requesting that France atone for its 130 years of occupation; France called it a blow to dialogue. African Countries are uniting to pass a Resolution to have Colonial Era Crimes Recognized.

  13. Meta bowed to Nigeria and paid up for privacy infraction. This is a first, and usually multinationals tend to do whatever in our countries… we applaud the judgment, and hope that this signals to those companies to start treating Africans like humans, with some measure of respect. Meta Bows to Nigeria and Pays for Privacy Infraction.

Why is Ibrahim Traoré so Loved ?

General Assimi Goita

I love this message of our general and president Assimi Goïta: “if I die before reaching our ideal, continue the project without me and lay the groundwork for change with my blood and my fleshNo sacrifice is huge for this country“[Assimi Goïta Speaks to the Malian People: No Sacrifice is too Big for this Country]. This is indeed the motto that all the leaders of the AES, Assimi Goïta of Mali, Abdourahamane Tchiani of Niger, and Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso lead with and live by. They all created the Alliance of the Sahel (AES) so as to be strong together, uniting their forces, people, and resources to fight together against the forces of imperialism. Now the west is trying hard to break apart the union by singling out Traoré (Coup against Ibrahim Traoré and Worldwide Support for Him). Traoré is brilliant, no doubt. He has been doing an awesome job, no doubt. And he has been the true communicator in the AES plan. He is young, and appeals to the youths of the entire continent. He speaks with great charisma, and confidence, which scares many. He is a true son of Burkina Faso inspired by the great Thomas Sankara. 

Capitaine President Ibrahim Traore (Source: sig.gov.bf)

A mother does not love one child over the other. She loves each one, albeit differently and uniquely, given the uniqueness of each child. Mama Africa loves all her leaders of the AES equally and together we will free the whole. Thus, it is important to know that we, Africans, cannot afford to have just one Traoré, for we are all Traoré, and we should all endeavor to have thousands of Traoré, Tchiani, and Goïta throughout the continent, for history not to repeat itself. We have to be careful… and take care of our leaders, and make sure we keep working towards total freedom. Just a few years back (not even 5 years), John Magufuli of Tanzania was here, Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi was here and we, Africans, applauded them. Both went down… and we all cried… we need to make sure history does not repeat itself! Let’s have Millions of African Leaders: Be the Leader You Want to Have!

Below are excerpts from an article from the BBC explaining why Ibrahim Traoré is loved… yet claiming that it is a “skillfully built persona af a pan-africanist”… pure nonsense… they really have not known him when he was younger. Had they known him, they would have known that there is nothing ‘built’ about him, and it is not a persona… when an African stands up proudly and with confidence without the complex of inferiority, they call it a persona. Our duty is to all be Ibrahim Traoré!

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Ibrahim Traore lays the foundation for the Thomas Sankara Mausoleum (Source: LeFaso.net)

A charismatic 37-year-old, Burkina Faso‘s military ruler Capt Ibrahim Traoré has skilfully built the persona of a pan-Africanist leader determined to free his nation from what he regards as the clutches of Western imperialism and neo-colonialism.

His message has resonated across Africa and beyond, with his admirers seeing him as following in the footsteps of African heroes like Burkina Faso’s very own Thomas Sankara – a Marxist revolutionary who is sometimes referred to as “Africa’s Che Guevara“.

Traoré’s impact is huge. I have even heard politicians and authors in countries like Kenya [in East Africa] say: ‘This is it. He is the man’,” Beverly Ochieng, a senior researcher at global consultancy firm Control Risks, told the BBC.

His messages reflect the age we are living in, when many Africans are questioning the relationship with the West, and why there is still so much poverty in such a resource-rich continent,” she said.

Flag of Burkina Faso

After seizing power in a coup in 2022, Traoré’s regime ditched former colonial power France in favour of a strong alliance with Russia, that has included the deployment of a Russian paramilitary brigade, and adopted left-wing economic policies.

This included setting up a state-owned mining company, requiring foreign firms to give it a 15% stake in their local operations and to transfer skills to Burkinabé people.

The rule also applied to Russian miner Nordgold, which was given a licence in late April for its latest investment in Burkina Faso’s gold industry.

As part of what Traoré calls a “revolution” to ensure Burkina Faso benefits from its mineral wealth, the junta is also building a gold refinery and establishing national gold reserves for the first time in the nation’s history.

… The junta [they still call it a junta, even though, he has received a full vote of confidence for 5 years by the entire Faso nation – like said before: Gabon and the Double Standards of the International Community] has also nationalised two gold mines previously owned by a London-listed firm, and said last month that it planned to take control of more foreign-owned mines.

Enoch Randy Aikins, a researcher at South Africa’s Institute for Security Studies, told the BBC that Traoré’s radical reforms had increased his popularity in Africa. “He is now arguably Africa’s most popular, if not favourite, president,” [No, Traore does not want to be the most popular or the favorite, he just wants to do right by his people! – Thus African, let us follow his footsteps and make our countries and continent proud!] Mr Aikins said.

Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso

… Ms Ochieng said that Traoré first caught the attention of Africans when he spoke at the Russia-Africa summit in 2023 [that is not true… we already knew him before 2023], telling African leaders to “stop behaving like puppets who dance every time the imperialists pull the strings“.

… Traoré’s popularity comes despite the fact that he has to fulfil his pledge to quell a 10-year Islamist insurgency failed [has he failed? What did the French, and Operations Barkhane via the Takuba Task Force and Serval… – that compendium of all western nations- do in over 10 years in the region? And who was funding these terrorist groups?] that has fuelled ethnic divisions and has now spread to once-peaceful neighbours like Benin. [yeah right… we know who is in Benin – France!].

… “Traoré is stylish and confident, with a very open face and a small smile. He is also a powerful orator, and presents himself as a man of the people.”

Coup against Ibrahim Traoré and Worldwide Support for Him

Capitaine President Ibrahim Traore (Source: sig.gov.bf)

For the past few weeks, the price of gold has hit a record high of $3400. Some of the places with some of the largest gold mines is in the Sahel, the AES. So it is no surprise that there was a recent coup against the president of Burkina Faso, one of the leaders of the AES a few weeks ago.

Ibrahim Traoré, president of Burkina Faso, escaped another coup attempt on his life. Coincidentally, this attempted coup happened the day after the American General Langley lied in front of the US congress saying that Traoré was embezzling the country’s funds for his personal security. It is quite preposterous to hear. Why doesn’t Langley mention Ouattara who has put Ivory Coast in debt and destroyed the country? Why doesn’t Langley mention Paul Biya of Cameroon who has been in power 43 years, and taken the country 60 years backwards? Why doesn’t Langley mention Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo who has siphoned all the country’s money into his pockets and those of his family? Or Faure Eyadema who comes from the Eyadema dynasty? Moreover, how can someone like Ibrahim Traoré who has foregone his presidential salary embezzle money?
Then how disgusting of this man to stand in front of congress and lie? It reminds me of another, a certain Colin Powell, who stood in front of the whole world and spoke of things which never existed in Irak?

Flag of Burkina Faso

Since coming to power, Ibrahim Traoré has bought over 400 tractors for farmers, 953 motorcycles, 710 motor pumps for water, 10,000 tons of fish food, 68,964 tons of fertilizer, 10,000 liters of products to name a few to try to empower the country’s agriculture. In the ministry of health, his accomplishments include buying 15 mobile clinics, 36 vehicles for hospitals, 3 oxygen units, 11 cold rooms, 835 tablets, 1,900 solar refrigerators. There was also the inauguration of a full tomato plant to enhance local productions, and now the plan for the largest Coca Cola plant in Africa.

A Escrava Isaura (Source: primetelenovelas.com)

This Langley dude reminds me of the slave/overseer Domato, in the Brazilian telenovela A Escrava Isaura who was always treating his slave brothers and sisters so much worse than the white master.

Excerpts below are from the BBC first about the Burkina Faso’s coup plot, and secondly about the subsequent protests which have occurred around the world in support of Traoré, Captain Ibrahim Traore: Why head of Burkina Faso military junta dey popular among young Africans? (originally in Pidgin, and translated by Dr. Y.).  These worldwide protests and marches in support of Traoré have taken place in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Ghana, UK, France, all the way even to Jamaica.

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Burkina Faso’s military government has said it foiled a “major plot” to overthrow junta leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré, with the army alleging the plotters were based in neighbouring Ivory Coast [this is no secret, but BBC writes it as if the Burkinabe people were hallucinating].

Security Minister Mahamadou Sana said the coup attempt was led by current and former soldiers working with “terrorist leaders“. The intention was to attack the presidential palace last week, he added. The aim of the plan was to “sow total chaos, and place the country under the supervision of an international organisation“, Sana said on state television on Monday.

It is the latest of several claims of attempts to remove the junta leader who seized power in 2022 amid increasing militant attacks. …

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Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso

Thousands of people gathered at the Place de la Révolution in Ouagadougou on Wednesday 30 April to show their support to the President of the transition, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

The demonstration happened after the US commander of AFRICOM, General Michael Langley, told the US Senate Armed Services Committee in early April that the military regime in power in Burkina Faso has taken advantage of the resources of the country, particularly the gold reserves [interesting, why does he mention only gold and no other resources?], for his own protection instead of the population. What General Langley told the US Senate provoked people to react in Burkina Faso and throughout the AES countries and even beyond the region. The government of Burkina Faso condemned the statement by the US military command, made with the ‘aim to spoil the country’s image.’

… The massive support for Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, comes at a time of growing tensions with Western powers. General Langley’s accusations of corruption leveled against the President of the transition, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, instead of weakening the regime in Burkina Faso, has reinforced the status and aura of the young military leader, whose popularity extends beyond national borders.

Alliance des Etats du Sahel (source: linfodusahel.com)

… Traoré quickly adopted an anti-imperialist stance, where he strongly criticized the interference of Western powers, particularly France. They see his decision to draw closer to new partners like Russia and Iran, and to leave certain regional cooperation frameworks (G5 Sahel, ECOWAS) as a stamping of his sovereignty. This geopolitical shift excites young people seeking political and economic independence happy.

… Captain Traoré has become a symbol of resistance to Western influence, particularly French influence, and this has gone positively with the predominantly young population. His revolutionary stance and commitment to African unity appeals to many Burkinabè, especially young people.

There is a third element for me: Ibrahim Traoré’s youth, his outspokenness and his imperialist stance which are inline with another Burkinabe president, Captain Thomas Sankara, whose popularity for almost 40 years after his death is in doubt‘ [says] Seidik Abba, President of the Centre international d’études et de réflexions sur le Sahel (CIRES).

The military regime in power in Burkina Faso is multiplying symbolic and even populist acts to boost its image. The decision to forego the presidential salary and opt for the modest income he receives as army leader also makes his popular with the public.

… Since taking power in 2022, Captain Ibrahim Traoré has undertaken a series of reforms that will strengthen the state’s control over mining resources, particularly gold, for the country’s main export.

FESPACO 2025: Burkina Faso Wins its First Golden Stallion in 28 years!

FESPACO2025 (Fespaco.bf)

The 29th edition of the FESPACO took place from February 22 to March 1, 2025, in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.

The host country, Burkina Faso was represented by two films: Katanga, la danse des scorpions by Dani Kouyaté and Les Invertueuses by Chloé Aïcha Boro. The guest country of honor, Chad, was represented by Diya by Achille Ronaimou. There were several entries from diverse countries including Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia, Somalia and many more.

Dani Kouyate receives his Golden Stallion from President Ibrahim Traore (Source: DNE Africa)

On March 1, 2025, Burkinabè filmmaker Dani Kouyaté was awarded the prestigious Étalon d’or de Yennenga (Golden Stallion of Yennenga). His film, Katanga, la danse des scorpions, is a cinematic adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth set in an African (Burkinabe) context and told in the Mooré language of Burkina Faso. His win marked Burkina Faso’s first Étalon d’or in 28 years after Buud Yam of Gaston Kaboré, and the third win of Burkina Faso 34 years after the first Tilai of Idrissa Ouedraogo. Beyond the Étalon d’or, Katanga, la danse des scorpions garnered several other accolades, including the Public Prize with an average score of 9.18/10, the Sembène Ousmane Prize from the Ecobank Foundation, the Special Prize from the Cultural and Tourism Development Fund (FDCT), the Special UEMOA Prize for feature fiction, and the Paulin Soumanou Vieyra African Critics’ Prize.

Golden Stallion of Yennenga
The Golden Stallion of Yennenga

The Somali movie The Village next to Paradise by Mo Harawe won the Silver Stallion of Yennenga. The Bronze Stallion (Étalon de bronze) was awarded to On Becoming a Guinea Fowl by Rungano Nyoni (Zambia).

L’Homme-Vertige by Guadeloupean Malaury Eloi-Paisley won the Golden Stallion in the documentary section, as well as the Paul Robeson Prize for best diaspora film.

During the award ceremony, a special tribute was paid to Malian filmmaker Souleymane Cissé, who had been slated as jury president but passed away shortly before the festival. Dani Kouyaté, upon receiving his award, honored Cissé by saying, “Souleymane Cissé has been a model for me… he lives on in our hearts and minds.

Malian filmmaker Souleymane Cisse at the Silicon Valley African Film Festival (SVAFF) in 2024

Burkina Faso’s President, Ibrahim Traoré, presented Kouyaté the award and praised film enthusiasts for the “resounding success of this celebration of African cinema.”

The director [Dani Kouyaté] shows legitimate recognition for the courage and self-sacrifice of our worthy daughters and sons committed to victory over the forces of evil,” Traoré said on social media after the event.

The 30th edition of FESPACO is set for 2027. To read more about FESPACO 2025, please check out TRT Global – FESPACO Festival 2025 shines with cinematic triumphs in Burkina Faso

“A Conscious People Take Charge Themselves of their Homeland’s Defense” – Thomas Sankara

Every October 15, we talk about Thomas Sankara, the father of the Burkinabe revolution. Today, we will bring back some of his words, from “We are Heirs of the World’s Revolutions, Speeches from the Burkina Faso Revolution 1983-87” by Thomas Sankara, Pathfinder Press (2007) p. 46 – 48. You will see that President Ibrahim Traoré in particular, and the leaders of the AES as a whole (Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Sign a Mutual Defence Pact), are following in Thomas Sankara’s footsteps in the defense of their homeland against foreign forces which have used terrorism to balkanize the region and terrorize the people for over a decade now. “Each citizen should work to revolutionize his sector of activity. a conscious people cannot leave their homeland’s defense to one group of men, however competent they may be. Conscious people take charge themselves of their homeland’s defense.” Tomorrow, we will talk about points (2) and (3).

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Thomas Sankara
Thomas Sankara

The August revolution does not aim to establish one more regime in Upper Volta [Burkina Faso]. It represents a break with all previously known regimes. Its ultimate goal is to build a new Voltaic [now Burkinabe] society, within which the [Burkinabe], driven by revolutionary consciousness, will be architect of his own happiness, a happiness equal to the efforts he will have made.

To do this, the revolution – whether the conservative and backward forces like it or not – will be a deep and total upheaval that will spare no domain, no sector of economic, social, and cultural activity.

Revolutionizing all domains and all sectors of activity is the slogan of the day. Strengthened by the guiding principles laid out here, each citizen should work to revolutionize his sector of activity, whether he finds himself.

The philosophy of revolutionary transformations is already affecting the following sectors: (1) the national army; (2) policies concerning women; and (3) economic development.

(1) The national army: its place in the democratic and popular revolution

Flag of Burkina Faso

According to the defense doctrine of the revolutionary Upper Volta, a conscious people cannot leave their homeland’s defense to one group of men, however competent they may be. Conscious people take charge themselves of their homeland’s defense. To this end, our armed forces constitute simply a detachment that is more specialized than the rest of the population for Upper Volta’s internal and external security requirements. …

The revolution imposes three missions on the national armed forces:

  1. To be capable of combating all internal and external enemies and to participate in the military training of the rest of the people. This presupposes an increased operational capacity, making each soldier a competent fighter, unlike the old army, which was merely a mass of employees.
  2. To participate in national production. Indeed, the new soldier must live and suffer among the people to which he belongs. The days of the free-spending army are over. From now on, besides handling arms, the army will work in the fields and raise cattle, sheep, and poultry. It will build schools and health clinics and ensure their functioning. It will maintain roads …
  3. To train each soldier as a revolutionary militant. Gone are the days when the army was declared to be neutral and apolitical, while in fact serving as the bastion of reaction and the guardian of imperialist interests. Gone are the days when our national army conducted itself like a corps of foreign mercenaries in conquered territory. Those days are gone forever. Armed with political and ideological training, our soldiers, … will instead become conscious revolutionaries, at home among the people like a fish in water.

As an army at the service of the revolution, the National Popular Army will have no place for any soldier who looks down on, scorns, or brutalizes his people. An army of the people at the service of the people – such is the new army we are building in place of the neocolonial army, which was utilized to rule over the people as a veritable instrument of oppression and repression in the hands of the reactionary bourgeosie. …

Attention! A Call to Action for Africans by Nathanael Minoungou

Flag of Burkina Faso

Africa is a very rich continent, and one of its most important wealth is its youth… Africa is young, and the West, as seen by many of its generals and politicians, trembles. As Africans, it is our duty to free our continent. We can no longer stay behind while others get fat over our resources. As young Africans, it is our destiny to rise and conquer our freedom; we can no longer live it to others, or think future generations will do it for us… the future is now, if we cannot impact today, we will never change tomorrow.

I saw this speech by Nathanael Minoungou, alias Nael Melerd, a Burkinabe who shared a call to action to all Burkinabe and to all Africans. Time is of the essence. Africa, Rise! Enjoy! I have translated a few lines… For the whole speech, watch his video!

Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso

The biggest scam of time, the biggest scam of the century, is not to rob a country, but to make a young person believe that he has time ahead of him. A young person does not have time, time is for the old … I hear, “Enjoy your youth because we only live once,” lies and scams, we only die once, we live every day.

Africa is invincible because of its youth, as long as this youth remains awake and takes its responsibilities … if we cannot defeat you, we must by all means make you waste time, time that you do not even have …

How do you manage to have time, while people call your country poor?

How do you manage to have time while your land is exploited, while Africa is assisted at almost all levels?

How do you manage to have time in the midst of reconquering food sovereignty while the fields are idle in the village due to a lack of able-bodied workers?

How do you manage to have time in the midst of the fight against terrorism when even the elderly are enlisting to defend the homeland?

How do you manage to have time when people work during the day, and at night become watchmen that are called wayiha? … how do you manage to have time?

How do you manage to have time in the middle of rebuilding while you have “made in China” on your t-shirt and underwear?

Capitaine President Ibrahim Traore (Source: sig.gov.bf)

… African youth has not suffered from poverty, … illiteracy, … African youth has rather suffered from a lack of reference points and worthy leaders … until today when these youth can finally turn to you, Comrade President Captain Ibrahim Traore … From now on, everything has changed, because everything has become urgent, because everything has happened quickly, and because Africa is proud!

That is why, if you are the Captain, know that from now on, all the young people in this room, in uniform or not, are now soldiers engaged at the front for the sovereignty of Africa! … If you accept the sacrifice, stand on your feet ! ATTENTION!