Thousands of Burkinabè citizens filled the streets of the capital, Ouagadougou, on Wednesday in a mass demonstration of support for transitional President Captain Ibrahim Traoré, following recent remarks by the head of the U.S. military in Africa.
General Michael Langley had earlier accused Traoré’s military-led government of exploiting Burkina Faso’s mineral wealth for the benefit of the junta, rather than its people — claims that have sparked anger across the West African nation.
Waving flags and blowing whistles, protesters condemned what they described as foreign interference. “Burkina Faso is not against anyone, but we will no longer tolerate looting,” said musician and demonstrator Ocibi Joan. “The general is a liar. We own our resources, and we decide what to do with them.”
Another protester, Haroun Sawadogo, referenced the 1987 assassination of revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara, vowing that “what happened to Captain Sankara will not happen to Captain Traoré.”
The protest follows reports from military authorities of a recently thwarted plot to topple the government. Traoré came to power through a military coup in September 2022, the second such takeover in less than a year.
Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo was among several officials present at the rally. Addressing the crowd, he urged national pride and sovereignty, declaring, “May the people of Burkina Faso free themselves once and for all.”
This demonstration marked the largest public display of support for Traoré’s leadership since he assumed power.
