TRAORÉ: SPOKESMAN FOR A PEOPLE’S MOVEMENT

Imperialists are hellbent on clipping Pan-Africanist leader Ibrahim Traoré’s wings, and one way they are doing so is by portraying the Burkina Faso president as a lone ranger threatening Africa’s stability. That’s Sufi Alchemy’s assessment of the misinformation that has emerged over several months about the 37-year-old leader. 

The Netherlands-based content creator argued that singling out @capitaineib226 (X) is meant to water down the anti-imperialist Pan-Africanist movement spearheaded by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger formed the AES bloc on 6 July 2024 following successful people-backed coups d’état that ousted Western-aligned leaders in Africa’s Sahel region. They aim to create a federal Pan-African state to light the way for continental-wide governance.

Sufi Alchemy reminded viewers that Traoré isn’t alone and that the imperial playbook is predictable. If they can't crush a movement, they will isolate its leaders.

Together with Mali’s Assimi Goïta and Niger’s Abdourahamane Tiani, Traoré is one of the recognisable flag holders of a Sahel-wide people’s movement aiming to reclaim Africa’s independence. In December 2023, thousands of Nigeriens camped around French installations to ensure troops representing the former coloniser exited Niger. Furthermore, many of the over 71 million Sahelians are solidly behind their revolutionary leaders. Plus, Pan-Africanists globally support the movement, speaking out on social media and via rallies.

Although the tip may be short, the spear’s length gives it weight and direction.

Video credit: @sufi_alchemy (IG)