Coup or Revolution: How Ibrahim Traore Became Burkina Faso's President (YouTube Script)
Burkina Faso—once a quiet name on the map of West Africa—is now a global headline.
The second coup in less than 9 months.
A young captain, from a humbled and deprived background, Ibrahim Traoré, just 34 years old, rose to power in a whirlwind of political chaos to revive the hopes and aspirations of an entire nation.
But how did he become President?
Ibrahim was born in Kéra, a village in Bondokuy on the 14th of March 1988.
He grew up in modest circumstances in rural Burkina Faso.
Ibrahim attended local schools and was known to be intelligent and hardworking. He later pursued higher education at the University of Ouagadougou, where he studied geoscience.
Although he was reserved during his university years, he was also involved in student activism, which is believed to have shaped his views on justice, leadership, and the need for systemic change.
Ibrahim joined the Burkina Faso Armed Forces in the early 2010s, motivated by a desire to serve his country.
His early assignments placed him on the frontlines of Burkina Faso's fight against Islamist insurgencies in the Sahel region.
He quickly gained a reputation for bravery, discipline, and his ability to connect with soldiers on the ground.
His leadership was evident during difficult operations, which helped him rise through the ranks. By 2020, Traoré had become a captain, a significant milestone for a relatively young officer.
By 2022, Burkina Faso was a nation on edge. The Sahel region had become a battleground for extremist groups, and thousands were displaced from their homes. Insecurity wasn’t just a problem; it was a crisis.
President Kaboré faced mounting pressure but seemed unable to deliver the security and stability the people demanded. Protests swept through the streets. The calls for change grew louder.
In January 2022, Damiba and his Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR) overthrew President Kaboré.
Kaboré was taken into custody after intense pressure and accusations of his administration of failing to address the Islamist insurgency effectively.
Kaboré was confined in a safe house in Ouagadougou.
Military forces ensured his communications and movements were restricted as the situation unfolded.
Ibrahim was already a captain then in the army, he supported Damiba's coup and was a part of the transitional government. He was stationed in the Sahel region, leading counter-insurgency efforts against Islamist extremists.
Frustrated by Damiba's perceived failures and lack of progress in addressing the insurgency he took power to address.
And as Burkina Faso faced increasing insecurity and government failures to contain insurgencies, dissatisfaction grew within the military ranks.
Traoré’s peers viewed him as someone who could lead the country out of crisis.
And so on September 30, 2022, he led a coup that removed Damiba, claiming his government had failed to address the nation’s security challenges.
Traoré became one of the world’s youngest heads of state at just 34 year old. His rise to power was marked by widespread support from ordinary citizens, who saw him as a symbol of hope and change.
Justifying why they were removing Damiba from office, Traore said in a televised address on October 1, 2022, that the previous head of state had failed to tackle the perennial problem of insurgency that has been hitting Burkina Faso in recent years.
When he was named as the leader of the coup plotters, certain observers pointed out his resemblance to Thomas Sankara. In addition to the red beret, Ibrahim Traoré –has several points in common with the national icon: both are captains, both came to power at the age of 34, and both are perpetrators of a coup against the military, which had itself come to power by force eight months earlier. His supporters hope he won't meet the same fate as Sankara.
There are rumours that Ibrahim Traore was born in Kenya and that his mother got divorced and returned to Burkina Faso. Many claim that it is a French propaganda strategy that aims to divide people by citizenship status.
To some, it was a coup. To others, it was a revolution born of necessity. Ibrahim justified his actions by pointing to the failures of previous leaders.
Ibrahim's rise to power was met with mixed reactions. Thousands celebrated in the streets, hailing him as a hero. However international observers and critics raised questions.
Was this a legitimate revolution to save Burkina Faso, or just another coup in a region plagued by political instability?
It is revolutionary no doubt, but the method was undeniably a coup. The distinction lies in whether he delivers on his promises.
Ibrahim Traoré’s journey is still being written. Whether he will be remembered as a revolutionist who saved Burkina Faso or as just another chapter in its turbulent history remains to be seen.
But one thing is clear—his rise reflects the frustrations and aspirations of a nation desperate for change.
The answer lies not in how he took power, but in what he does with it.
Maybe after that, the question becomes Does the end justify the means?
