Burkina Faso: A turning point in the fight against terrorism under the leadership of President Ibrahim Traore

From 2016 to 2022, Burkina Faso was plunged into an unprecedented crisis. Repeated terrorist attacks claimed the lives of nearly 13,000 Burkinabe, according to international organizations. This climate of violence rendered many localities inaccessible, and efforts to supply isolated areas became nearly impossible. In this dramatic context, the Burkinabe army, critically lacking modern means, was unable to effectively counter the threat a situation exacerbated by the complicity of certain local political actors and imperialist supporters.

However, the rise of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR) under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré marked a turning point in the fight against terrorism.

In just three years, manifest progress has been made despite the scale of the inherited challenges.

Thanks to the re-equipment of the army, including with drones and other advanced technologies, the Burkinabe armed forces have strengthened their operational capacities and succeeded in reclaiming several previously inaccessible zones.

The results achieved testify to the efforts deployed to restore state authority and channel humanitarian aid to devastated areas.

Although obstacles remain, solid foundations for an effective fight against terrorism have been laid.

These advances, however, should not be ignored or minimized by those who seek to discredit the current government’s work, often driven by self-serving interests.

Under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the human losses, once a daily occurrence, have significantly decreased.

While the road ahead remains fraught with challenges, the Burkinabe people can now hope for a victory against terrorism, not only for their own country but for the entire Sahel.

The path to peace is still long, but the commitment and progress made offer a glimmer of hope.

Fanta KOUROUMA