Capt Traore: The new poster boy of African self-determination

Burkina Faso’s young military leader currently rides on the crest of a strong continental wave of popularity not seen in Africa for decades.

The charismatic appeal of the 37-year-old who came to power in a coup in 2022 even transcends the continent which has produced the likes of his own compatriot Thomas Sankara, Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba.

Not even born when the Marxist-Leninist=leaning Sankara was assassinated in 1987, Captain Traore is widely seen both at home and abroad as a reincarnation of Africa’s most illustrious leaders.

As one of Africa’s most favourite sons at the beat, it was just in recent days that supporters of this new poster boy of Pan-Africanism, from London to Paris and the United States held ”Hands off Traore” protests, warning Western powers not to interfere with his progressive stewardship in Burkina Faso which they hope would catch on with the rest of the continent.

It follows an allegedly abortive coup plot in April and pronouncements from US Africa command General Michael Elliott Langley that Traore was helping himself to Burkina Faso’s gold reserves, a strange claim which fuels anger from among critics of Western power ploys the endgame of which is the elimination of leaders who stand up to them.

Langley was speaking in neighbouring Ivory Coast which the military junta in Burkina Faso accused of harbouring rebels who had taken part in the latest coup attempt to remove him from power.

Langley’s claim was dismissed by the captain as laughable lies aimed at rearing imperialism’s ugly head in his country

Protests in support of Traore were also held in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Liberia while there were strong voice of support from people with a Pan-Africanist bent of mind in The Gambia where he is popular.

Elsewhere on the continent, the same sentiment also hold true.

Across southern Africa, the rise of Captain Traoré has sparked discussions on governance, thanks to deepening disillusionment with the dividends from democracy and a resurgent spirit of African self-determination, dismissive of the West.

Thus as Traore’s popularity spread beyond his own country’s borders, it resonates with a growing number of Africans frustrated by economic policies with little positive results and electoral systems perceived as ineffective or easily manipulated.

Zimbabwean investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono captured this sentiment, stating in a social media post recently that Traoré is “the most popular African leader at the moment.”

“His popularity highlights two key issues; the lack of faith in electoral democracy on the continent and the tragic failure of elected governments to deliver basic services to their citizens,” Chin’ono said.

According to the latest survey by Afrobarometer 30 countries in Africa have witnessed dwindling  support for democracy which has dropped by 7 percentage points, including by 29 points in South Africa and 23 points in Mali.

It also finds that the will to challenge military rule has weakened by 11 points across 30 countries, most dramatically in Mali and Burkina Faso (by 40 and 36 points, respectively).

”More than half of Africans (53% across 39 countries) are willing to accept a military takeover if elected leaders “abuse power for their own ends” the survey indicates, pointing out that support for elections has dropped by 8 percentage points across those countries.

Chin’ono says Traoré’s leadership has become a focal point for rethinking governance models that might better align with Africa’s indigenous systems, which were sidelined in favour of Western-style democracy post-independence.

In South Africa, opposition politician Julius Malema hailed Traoré as the embodiment of “the awakening of African self-determination”, arguing that his reforms aim to free Burkina Faso from Western influence.

Addressing an independence-day rally at the end of April, Malema accused the US of trying to overturn Traore’s efforts to make Burkina Faso truly independent of Western controls by destabilising the country.

Countries such as Malawi have over the past year followed Burkina Faso’s lead in suspending exports of minerals while measures are being put in place to ensure the commodities truly benefit national coffers.

In Malawi’s case, a US-based gemstone mining firm is alleged to have paid only $600 in tax for the export of rubies over 10 years against projected revenue of over $24 billion.

Analysts, however, cautioned that for Traoré’s leadership to have lasting impact, it must prioritise institution-building over personal rule.

As Chin’ono aptly noted, Africa’s greatest governance challenge is not just leadership but the lack of strong institutions that can endure beyond any single leader’s tenure.

“Traoré’s leadership can only be applauded if it builds strong institutions that can outlive him, not if it is centred solely on him without establishing such institutions.”

Meanwhile just like his slain predecessor Sankara, Captain Traore appears to be cementing his legacy in the annals of history for all the right reasons, winning him praises from unlikely sources.

Even the IMF has chimed in, pointing out that his junta has maintained the Burkinabe economy in robust shape despite the costly war against the insurgents. An IMF statement last month praised Traore’s regime for increased revenue, judicious spending and improved budget for key sectors like health and education.