Latest news with #IbrahimTraoré
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Uncovering the blood gold crisis in Burkina Faso
IN 2022, Burkina Faso endured its second coup in eight months, with Captain Ibrahim Traoré overthrowing his ally Paul Henri Damiba, who had himself seized power from democratically elected President Roch Kaboré. NEVER in history has Julius Nyerere's 1961 speech, *The Second Scramble for Africa*, been more relevant than today in the context of Burkina Faso. As Burkina Faso's military junta escalates its suppression of press freedoms, banning international media and imprisoning local journalists, the true scale of the humanitarian crisis and criminality emerges through the reporting of Al Jazeera and many other rights organisations. Their investigations reveal one of the largest scrambles for minerals in Africa and a nation in collapse: mass atrocities against civilians, unchecked terrorist violence, blood diamonds and a humanitarian catastrophe deliberately obscured by Captain Traoré's propaganda machine. Behind the façade of liberation and viral TikTok videos is a country and a region in a crisis. Earlier this month, Al Jazeera highlighted a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report revealing that Burkina Faso's military and allied militias massacred over 130 ethnic Fulani civilians near Solenzo in March 2025. Survivors described soldiers and pro-government militias shooting civilians 'like animals' while drones hovered overhead, indicating command-level coordination. These findings, corroborated by witness testimonies and video evidence, expose a systematic campaign of ethnic violence masked as counterterrorism. According to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI), since 2019, the Sahel region now accounts for 'over half of all terrorism-related deaths', positioning the country as the 'epicentre of global terrorism'. The report further cites Burkina Faso as the number one ranked on its index list, overtaking Afghanistan and Iraq. To that end, since 2024, almost 2 000 people were killed in terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso, accounting for nearly a quarter of all terrorist deaths globally. Terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso have also increased every year since 2014, with terrorism also surging in its neighbours, Mali and Niger. In 2022, Burkina Faso endured its second coup in eight months, with Captain Ibrahim Traoré overthrowing his ally Paul Henri Damiba, who had himself seized power from democratically elected President Roch Kaboré. To understand the unending coups in Burkina Faso, ABC Australia turned to Al Jazeera's West Africa correspondent, Nicolas Haque, for answers. The pressing question was: 'Who's behind the spate of coups in West Africa? Haque characterised the ousting of Kaboré as a coup in waiting, due to the instability of the country, years after Burkina Faso dictator Blaise Compaoré was ousted in 2014. Haque also documents how a generation of men and boy children has been lost in the country as slums are filled with women and girl children. Burkina boys and men are either dead or conscripted into militias like the volunteers for the defence of the homeland (VDP) led by Traore. Secular education has also been banned to enforce extreme sharia law, where children are only taught the Quran, and in worst cases, girl children are denied an opportunity to go to school. Such reportage by Nicolas Haque and his peers is a constant reminder of how a free press remains a cornerstone of democracies globally because if not for outlets such as Al Jazeera, the BBC and others, atrocities in terror and coup-prone Sahel region will remain unknown. Reports also indicate that civilian deaths in Burkina Faso have doubled. It is quite evident that more voices need to be amplified to enforce the Kampala convention in Burkina Faso, where governance has been absent for decades. Human rights organisations such as the Norwegian Refugee Council continue to expose how Burkina Faso is the world's worst and most neglected displacement crisis, with over 2 million people displaced and 6.3 million facing acute hunger. Similarly, ECO financial agency, has reported how as children starve, the military governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger spent a combined $2.4 billion (R43bn) on their armed forces in 2024. South Africa, which is the largest economy in Africa, dropped its defence spending for the fourth year in a row, falling 6.3% to $2.8 billion and instead focused on boosting economic growth and improving social services. The Alliance of Sahel States which consists of military led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger has diverted the limited national reserves of their countries to China and Russia giving this country's mineral concessions to fund militarisation of their countries. The Russian Mercenary and Military Industrial Complex is the new coloniser in Africa. Russia has tightened its grip in the Sahel Region using private military companies that thrive in undemocratic regimes and the militarisation of despondent Africans. Leaving millions of African children out of schools, healthcare systems crippled, and thousands of Burkinabe people on the brink of famine. In May 2025, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres strongly condemned the attacks on civilians by the militia. These attacks are consistent and also include the abduction of women and girl children. TikTok videos glorify Traore as a revolutionary who will save Africa, but civilians in towns such as Djibo are starving and eating leaves. Traore-backed regimes backed by the Russian Wagner Group and Africa Corps hide massacres such as the recent Solenzo massacre, where 100 Fulani civilians were slaughtered by this Traore-backed militia. As expected, the value of Russia's gold reserves has surged by 72% since the beginning of 2022, while the country's Mercenary industrial complex has opened new markets for Russia's military-industrial complex. This symbiotic relationship between Russia and Africa's military junta reveals a disturbing reality: Africa's instability is now a strategic asset for Russia. Russia is giving African countries more arms to buy rather than direct investments to build new infrastructure and invest in education and public amenities. Russia's military diplomacy in Africa must be condemned no less than we condemn the West, as anyone who funds Africans to kill each other is not an ally but an enemy. Especially if the end game is to profit. As reported by the United Nations Refugee Agency, over 1.6 million Sahelian children face malnutrition and are displaced. Russia's exploitation of Africa for extractive purposes must be condemned, and we must defend our hard-earned democracies throughout the continent. The greatest crime by Russia's Wagner Group, Africa Corp, and Russian companies is not just stealing Africa's minerals or popularising Coups and dictators through social media, it is weaponising our anti-colonial struggle against the West to justify their resource plunder and arming one brother against. As Africa Month comes to an end, let's take heed of the enduring words of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, who said: 'What do you think is going to happen in the Second Scramble for Africa? In the second scramble for Africa, no imperialist power is going to fight another imperialist power for the control of Africa. This time, one imperialist power is going to arm one African nation, and another imperialist power is going to arm another African nation; and an African brother is going to slaughter another African brother, not in the interests of Africa, but in the interests of the imperialists, both old and new! 'I believe, therefore, that the poor countries of the world should be very careful not to allow themselves to be used as 'tools' of any of the rich countries. However much the rich countries may seek to fool them that they are on their side! And don't forget that the rich countries of the world today may be found on both sides of the division between 'Capitalist' and 'Socialist' countries.' What is happening in Burkina Faso is therefore not a Revolution but grand-scale looting by the East through well-managed and well-funded Public Relations. * Phapano Phasha is the chairperson of The Centre for Alternative Political and Economic Thought. ** The views expressed here do not reflect those of the Sunday Independent, IOL, or Independent Media.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hundreds of deepfake music videos are celebrating the president of Burkina Faso… why?
Social media has been flooded with a wave of music videos of stars like Justin Bieber, Beyoncé and R. Kelly singing the glory of the President of Burkina Faso Ibrahim Traoré, since early May. Turns out, all these videos are deepfakes generated by artificial intelligence. Experts say that the mass publication of these fake videos is part of an effort to raise the president's profile abroad. What do Beyoncé, Rihanna, R. Kelly, Selena Gomez and Eminem have in common -- besides being world famous singers? They also all appear to have recorded a version of a banger called 'God Protect Ibrahim Traoré' and posted it on YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. It is an ode to the glory of the president of Burkina Faso, who came to power in a coup d'état in September 2022. As gospel music plays in the background, the music video shows the president of Burkina Faso comforting a wounded man and being cheered on by a crowd of kids. 'God protect Ibrahim Traoré, stand him in your grace, give him wisdom, give him strength to lead this fragile place,' go the lyrics in the version supposedly featuring American singer R. Kelly. R. Kelly can be seen riding a motorcycle as a burst of gunfire explodes behind him. The song goes on to refer to the Islamist insurrection affecting both Burkina Faso and other countries in the Sahel: Jihadist storms have raged too long Displacing hearts and homes Oh Lord, we need your justice now Read more on The Observers - France 24Read also:Kylian Mbappé 'disciplined' by his father? An example of the dangers of 'deepfakes'How to detect 'deepfakes'
France 24
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- France 24
Hundreds of deepfake music videos are celebrating the resident of Burkina Faso… why?
What do Beyoncé, Rihanna, R. Kelly, Selena Gomez and Eminem have in common -- besides being world famous singers? They also all appear to have recorded a version of a banger called 'God Protect Ibrahim Traoré ' and posted it on YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. It is an ode to the glory of the president of Burkina Faso, who came to power in a coup d'état in September 2022. As gospel music plays in the background, the music video shows the president of Burkina Faso comforting a wounded man and being cheered on by a crowd of kids. 'God protect Ibrahim Traoré, stand him in your grace, give him wisdom, give him strength to lead this fragile place,' go the lyrics in the version supposedly featuring American singer R. Kelly. R. Kelly can be seen riding a motorcycle as a burst of gunfire explodes behind him. The song goes on to refer to the Islamist insurrection affecting both Burkina Faso and other countries in the Sahel: Jihadist storms have raged too long Displacing hearts and homes Oh Lord, we need your justice now In these blood-stained zones. Later on in the music video, Rihanna appears, calling for "five more years of soldier's rule', thus showing her support for keeping Ibrahim Traoré and his military junta in power. Hundreds of comments in English appear below the music video that supposedly shows R. Kelly and Rihanna, most featuring glowing messages of support for Traoré. They were written by social media users who say they are from English-speaking African nations including Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Malawi. It is impossible to say if these messages were published by social media users or if they are part of the disinformation campaign. In total, our team counted at least fifteen different versions of 'God Protect Ibrahim Traoré' on Youtube, all in English, and all featuring deepfake celebrities singing odes to the Burkina Faso president. AI created music videos However, all of the many versions of 'God Protect Ibrahim Traoré' are deepfakes. They are poor quality, not very realistic -- in fact, they all look like video games. Aside from that, there are other clues that they were AI-generated. The face of one man in the crowd is deformed. The banner featuring Traoré's name has illegible letters on it -- AI still struggles to create legible text on a photo. If you look at these videos on YouTube, they are actually described as 'altered or synthetic content', which means AI-generated. But even though these music videos are clearly false, a number of English-speaking influencers have fallen for them and continue to share them. Nancy Blaq, a Ghanaian influencer with 2.7 million followers, shared the version 'sung' by Beyoncé on Facebook. 'During her sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden last night, the global superstar paused between her chart-topping hits to deliver a message that left the audience in awe: 'God protect Ibrahim Traoré, protect Burkina Faso'', the influencer wrote in a post from May 10. The video was also shared on May 4 by a Facebook page said to be the Russian television channel Rossiya 1 Afrique. Pro-Traoré content has also been shared by social media users who support the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. "Viva Ibrahim Traoré, Viva the Burkinabé army, Viva the AES army," wrote one pro-AES Facebook user in French along with the Beyoncé music video. 294 fake music videos shared by 127 YouTube channels Our team set out to determine just how widely these fake clips had been shared. To do so, we used a software program that enabled us to identify the fake pro-Traoré music videos published on YouTube and how many views they had obtained. While the first versions of 'God Protect Ibrahim Traoré' appeared on YouTube in March, most were published in early May. We counted at least 294 fake music videos that were posted on YouTube. Together, they obtained more than 8.6 million views. These videos were shared on at least 127 YouTube channels. Most of these chains were created recently and have existed for between six and two months. A fair number of them only contain pro-Ibrahim Traoré content, which suggests they were specifically created to support the Burkinabé president. AI was also used to create the page graphics for a number of these YouTube channels. For example, the text on the banners of some of them is gibberish, which can often happen with AI-generated images. 'It's clear that this is a coordinated campaign' 'It's clear that this is a coordinated campaign,' says Samba Dialimpa Badji, a researcher in disinformation and fact-checking at the University of Oslomet in Norway. 'Even if we don't have the elements to prove that Burkina Faso's government is behind this communication campaign, they are certainly benefiting from it.' The Burkina Faso government does not have a history of using AI to create fake videos en masse. "What we've observed up until now is that they mostly relied on influencers on social media -- WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter -- who posted content glorifying Ibrahim Traoré or showing their support for the military junta in power in Burkina Faso. AI makes it possible to create fake content very rapidly, easily and in large quantity,' Dialimpa Badji added. 'There is no sign that real people are behind these posts,' says the researcher. 'It could be that the accounts sharing this content were also AI-created. One single person could easily do that: create different accounts on different social media platforms and create content in an automated way,' Dialimpa Badji said. Music videos made in Nigeria Our team was able to make contact with the person behind the YouTube channel where a clip called 'God Protect Ibrahim Traoré by R. Kelly" garnered more than 1.9 million views. The person claims to be the creator of this video, which checks with the date the video was created. The YouTuber, who is based in Nigeria, says he is an artist who specialises in using AI to create music videos. He said that he charges about $1,000 (€881) for each music video. He said that using AI to make videos honouring the president of Burkina Faso started out as a personal project. 'My motivation was that Ibrahim Traoré does what many African leaders don't do,' he said. 'I admire him a lot.' 'When people saw that these videos were going viral on my channel, they started asking me to make the same kind of video for them,' he said. 'So that's when I started charging for creating the music videos and promoting them.' The creator said that he was actually behind most of the popular music videos celebrating Ibrahim Traoré on YouTube and TikTok. We weren't able to verify this claim. He also did not respond to our questions about the identity of his sponsors. "The people behind this campaign probably looked for people who had the skills to create AI-generated content [like in Nigeria] where you can easily find someone to carry out this service,' Dialimpa Badji said. Was the publication of these music videos coordinated with Burkina Faso's government? Why was there a sudden explosion of pro-Traoré music videos in May? Interestingly, the Burkina Faso government launched a new communication campaign to up the profile of the president at the same time that many of these videos were posted online. On April 27, Burkina's Information Agency published a news brief boldly claiming that 'Captain Ibrahim Traoré [is] worshipped around the world'. As proof, the news agency cited a tweet by the well-known Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie, who posted the message 'God Protect Ibrahim Traoré' on X on April 25 -- exactly the same phrase as the music videos. A few days later, on April 30, Burkina Faso's authorities declared a ' global day in support of Ibrahim Traoré', calling for people to take to the streets in Burkina Faso and abroad. The posting of these fake music videos seems coordinated with the communication campaign meant to promote Traoré's image, said Mathieu Pellerin, an analyst specialist in the Sahel region with International Crisis Group: 'Since taking office, President Traoré has been using direct references to Thomas Sankara, which give him an air of legitimacy, considering the Burkina Faso population's adoration for Sankara". Thomas Sankara was the revolutionary president of Burkina Faso who was assassinated in 1987. Even today, Sankara is an anti-colonial, pan-Africanist icon in Africa. "This aligns perfectly with the ideas that Traoré wants to represent for his country and beyond: popular uprising, a rupture with colonialism and imperialism in favour of sovereignty, both for Burkina Faso and in a pan-African sense. These are also the messages transmitted by this AI campaign, which is amplifying his message outside of Burkina Faso.' Videos aimed at an English-speaking public Most of these fake music videos promoting Ibrahim Traoré feature singers from the English-speaking world. This isn't by chance. According to the BBC, the users posting most content on X in support of Ibrahim Traoré are from the English-speaking world, including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and the United States. 'We've noticed that these posts are especially going viral in English-speaking countries. So I think that means that these countries have been targeted, probably in an attempt to break out of the straightjacket of the French-speaking world,' says Dialimpa Badji, 'They have probably concluded that in the French-speaking world, particularly in West Africa, a percentage of the public will already know about Traoré. And so perhaps that populations won't be as easy to manipulate with this type of content, because they know a bit already about the situation in the Sahel, in Burkina Faso, in Niger… where there is already a sort of defiance against those in power." 'This propaganda is probably meant to mask the failure of Traoré's security policies and to promote his political position both nationally and internationally, to reduce the chance that he might end up diplomatically isolated,' Pellerin says. 'He's had undeniable success with the latter, considering his popularity within the region and internationally. But I don't think that it is quite the same internally. Even though the president has a base of popular support, it seems like that has been eroding, considering the fact that the regime hasn't been able to restore security in the country. Not to mention the fact that increasing numbers of civilians have been arrested.' In recent weeks, Burkina Faso has suffered several setbacks in its fight against jihadists with JNIM, a terrorist group linked to Al Qaeda. 'Considering the success of this campaign, it wouldn't be surprising if other countries start using the same technique -- like Mali, for example, where disinformation is already rampant,' Dialimpa Badji said.
Mail & Guardian
6 days ago
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Can military ruler Traoré be the leader Burkinabè hope for?
The Burkina Faso coup reflected a frustration with governance failure but even well-intentioned military regimes have a tendency towards repression and violence. In September 2022, Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in Burkina Faso through a military The strong The But history is clear: military regimes, however well-intentioned at first, often Africa must reject the false choice between broken elections and military takeovers. The real issue is not democracy itself, but how leaders practice it and, more importantly, how some actively undermine it. It is also about the Burkina Faso offers a clear example of this broader struggle. Traoré rose to power amid growing anger over France's But leadership alone is not enough. Returning to corrupt political systems or unquestioningly trusting military rule will not solve Burkina Faso's challenges. It requires systemic change — transparent governance, reduced foreign dependence, empowered civil society and economic diversification. History is filled with A people-centred path forward To move forward, Burkina Faso must adhere to the agreed 60-month transition and avoid further amendments that could entrench military rule. The security Traoré must demonstrate that security efforts and democratic reform can advance together. This means strengthening local security with community input, restoring basic services in affected areas and ensuring all political voices are included in the transition process. Regional cooperation can also play a pivotal role. Past joint cross-border The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) must rethink its approach. Relying on If Traoré is to succeed where others have failed, his cooperation with Ecowas must be genuine and rooted in accountability. Beyond crisis response, Ecowas needs to tackle the deeper causes of instability: corruption, weak institutions and citizen exclusion. The priority should be building consensus around a clear, time-bound return to civilian rule, without sidelining urgent security needs. At the continental level, the African Union must treat failed governance as seriously as violent threats. Enforcing the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance with real consequences for violations is critical. For Traoré, strong AU oversight could reinforce his reform agenda and help distinguish his leadership from authoritarian regimes of the past. As such, outside pressure and strong leadership are necessary conditions for change in Burkina Faso. But they are only sufficient if they back reforms that include the people and rebuild trust in a people-centred government. The rise of strongmen signals the failure of many countries to serve their people. But replacing elections with the military is not a solution. Only by rebuilding institutions, empowering citizens, and ensuring accountability can Africa break this cycle. For Traoré, the question is clear: will he rise as the bold, accountable leader Burkina Faso needs, or will he become another footnote in Africa's history of missed opportunities? His decisions in the coming years will answer that question, not just for Burkina Faso, but for a continent yearning for lasting change. Tinashe Sithole is a post doctoral research fellow at the SARChI Chair African Diplomacy and Foreign Policy at the University of Johannesburg.
Miami Herald
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
The Young Putin Ally Winning Hearts Across Africa: Who Is Ibrahim Traoré?
At 34, Ibrahim Traoré seized global attention by toppling Burkina Faso's junta-the second coup in a year-vowing to reclaim sovereignty and reject colonial influence. Days later, he was sworn in as president, becoming Africa's youngest leader. His rise owes as much to military action as to a viral online presence, with AI tributes and fiery speeches casting him as a pan-African icon. In a region plagued by foreign interference and democratic decline, Traoré's message resonates with disillusioned youth. Despite mounting violence and authoritarianism, many view him as a bold challenger to Western dominance they blame for their hardships. Newsweek has reached out to the Burkina Faso foreign ministry for comment. Traoré's rise reflects a broader trend in West Africa, where military coups have become more frequent amid widespread dissatisfaction with democratic governance and foreign influence. His emphasis on economic self-reliance and pan-African unity resonates with many who feel marginalized by global power structures. However, his authoritarian tendencies raise concerns about the future of democracy and human rights in the region. Born in Bondokuy, western Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traoré studied geology at the University of Ouagadougou before joining the army in 2010. He gained frontline experience fighting jihadist groups in the country's north and later served in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali. By 2020, Traoré had risen to captain and led an artillery unit stationed in Kaya. Growing frustrated with the ruling junta's inability to stem insurgent violence, he spearheaded a coup against interim president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. In October 2022, Traoré was sworn in as interim president, pledging to restore security and national sovereignty. Since taking office, Traoré has championed economic self-reliance-establishing a state-owned mining firm to curb foreign control, distributing farm machinery, and launching infrastructure projects like rural roads and a new airport. His government rejected IMF and World Bank loans, cleared domestic debt, raised civil servant wages by 50 percent, and expelled French troops in 2023, signaling a break from former colonial ties. Yet despite these efforts, violence surges. More than 60 percent of Burkina Faso remains outside state control, over 2 million people are displaced, and security forces face serious abuse allegations, prompting calls for international scrutiny. Traoré has also redirected Burkina Faso's foreign policy. In 2023, French troops were expelled, ending Operation Sabre and signaling a break from France's longstanding military presence. The reopening of Russia's embassy and the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States alongside Mali and Niger highlight a strategic pivot toward Moscow. In May, Traoré traveled to Moscow to take part in the 80th anniversary Victory Day celebrations, meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin and underscoring the deepening ties between the two countries. Traoré's leadership has also been marked by a growing cult of personality, amplified by social media and AI-generated tributes. This digital amplification fuels a narrative that positions Traoré as a symbol of resistance against neocolonial influence, resonating especially with younger Africans. His image is spread widely through viral videos, memes, and carefully crafted content that elevate him beyond Burkina Faso's borders. One example occurred in early 2024, when a deepfake video circulated on platforms like TikTok and WhatsApp, showing Traoré delivering a rousing speech in multiple languages, calling for African unity and independence. Though the video was AI-generated and not authentic, it went viral among youth across West Africa, sparking both admiration and debate. Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traoré: "A slave who cannot assume his own revolt does not deserve to be pitied. We do not feel sorry for ourselves, we do not ask anyone to feel sorry for us." Chidi Odinkalu, Africa analyst and professor at Tufts University: "Traoré articulates a revolutionary message that is appealing to a young population frustrated by the thievery of what passes for democracy in their own countries." Babacar Ndiaye, a senior fellow at the Senegal-based Timbuktu Institute for Peace Studies: "In Africa, there is deep frustration with the traditional leadership, so there is polarized anger towards a scapegoat that is the west." As Burkina Faso navigates its complex political and security landscape, the international community watches closely, weighing the implications of Traoré's leadership for the region's future stability and democratic governance. This article includes reporting from the Associated Press Related Articles 10 World Conflicts Trump Will Take On in 2025Group Linked to Al-Qaeda Kills at Least 100 in West AfricaFrance's Defeat in Africa Is A Warning Sign to the USU.S. Forces Under 'Protection Measures' As African Troops Deploy for Niger 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
