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Burkina Faso

The US/EU/NATO’s Regime Change Playbook For Burkina Faso

On April 3, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander Michael Langley testified to the Senate Armed Services Committee during an excruciating two hours obsessively devoted to the ill-fated project of preserving US hegemony. Langley’s testimony was all about stopping Russia and China’s advances on the continent. Some Senators expressed concern that Trump had dispensed with the soft power—their term—projected by USAID and worried that China is stepping in to fill the breach. Alarm bells went off in Africa, the African diaspora, and peace and justice communities all over the world when he turned attention to Burkina Faso and its leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, accusing him of using the gold reserves he nationalized “to protect his junta.”

Planting Seeds Of Sovereignty: Lessons From The Sahel And Beyond

As the U.S. doubles down on tariffs and trade wars, African nations—particularly in the Sahel—find themselves at a critical juncture. The West calls its protectionism “economic security” and “national interest.” But when African states make similar moves to assert control over their land, labor, and futures, they are labeled authoritarian, unstable, or dangerous. Sovereignty for the West is lauded. Sovereignty for the South is a threat. The truth is that protectionism has always been political. From Alexander Hamilton’s “infant industry” policies in the U.S. to South Korea’s strategic shielding of domestic industries in the 1960s and 1970s, protectionism has never been about fairness.

Solidarity Protests Sweep West Africa In Defense Of Burkina Faso

Thousands of Africans across the continent rallied today under the unified call of “Hands Off the AES!” to express their solidarity with Burkina Faso and its revolutionary leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. Demonstrations were held in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Liberia, led by grassroots organizations and people’s movements. Protesters strongly condemned foreign interference and affirmed their support for the country’s resistance against imperialist destabilization. This continental wave of solidarity follows recent revelations by Burkina Faso’s military authorities that they had foiled a major coup attempt on April 21.

Burkina Faso Announces The Dismantling Of Another Coup Attempt

On Monday, the evening of April 21, Burkina Faso’s military authorities announced that they had dismantled a “major plot” aimed at promoting a coup and “sowing total chaos” in the West African country. The announcement was made by the Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, who stated that the leaders of the coup attempt are allegedly based in Côte d’Ivoire, whose government under President Alassane Ouattara is allied with France’s interests in the region. According to the minister, the plan of the “terrorists” would be carried out on April 16, 2025, through an assault on Burkina Faso’s presidency by soldiers recruited by the “enemies of the nation.”

The Arrogance Behind AFRICOM’s Strategy

The deterioration of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) ’s security partnerships across the Alliance of Sahel States reveals a consistent pattern of U.S. diplomatic arrogance, with two recent explosive incidents exposing a growing rift between Washington and African leadership in the Confederation of Sahel States. As the Trump administration moves to downgrade AFRICOM and slash diplomatic engagement, Niger’s defiance looks less like an outlier and more like a blueprint for African sovereignty. In March of 2024, the U.S. delegation to Niger, including Assistant Secretary of State Molly Phee and AFRICOM commander General Michael Langley, made a critical miscalculation during their March 12-13 meetings.

Sahel States Exit ECOWAS, Launch Regional Passport And Joint Military

Just a year ago, on January 28, 2024, the military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger publicly declared their intent to withdraw from the regional economic bloc. This announcement was a historic point in the Sahel’s political shift, as the three countries continue to push for sovereignty, regional security, and economic autonomy. The withdrawal took effect on January 29, 2025, as confirmed by ECOWAS. On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, the streets of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, came alive with celebration as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) marked the first anniversary of their historic decision to leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Africa And Russia: The Anti-Imperialist Partnership For Our Future

Neo-colonial governments have been toppled in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger (henceforth “the Alliance of Sahel States”). Revolutionary governments, backed by popular movements, have seized power and resurrected the flame of revolution in Africa. From the outbreaks of the rebellions that toppled neo-colonialism to today, it is common to see the people raising Russian flags along their national flags. For Africans, Russia represents a win-win cooperation and a partner against Western hegemony. Despite Western media’s desperate strategy to paint Russia as an imperial power and a colonial force that Africans should be wary of, a thorough study of history and a proper understanding of imperialism demonstrates that Russia has never been an imperialist or a colonial force in Africa, nor is it now.

France Must Go From Africa Is The Slogan Of The Hour

A cascade of anti-French sentiment continues to sweep across the belt of the Sahel in Africa: joining Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, Chad and Senegal demanded in November that the French government withdraw its military from their territories. From the western border of Sudan to the Atlantic Ocean, French armed forces, which have been in the area since 1659, will no longer have a base. The statement by the foreign minister of Chad, Abderaman Koulamallah, is exemplary: ‘France… must now also consider that Chad has grown up, matured, and that Chad is a sovereign state that is very jealous of its sovereignty’.

Imperialism And The Destabilization Of The Alliance Of Sahel States

Since the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, during 2023, the governments of France and the United States along with their surrogates have sought to undermine the political and economic objectives of these developing nations. When the military Committee for the Safeguard of Our Homeland (CNSP) took power in Niger last year on July 26, Paris and Washington sought to have members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) stage a military intervention into this uranium-rich country to reimpose the French and U.S.-backed ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

Imperialism And The Destabilization Of The Alliance Of Sahel States

Since the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, during 2023, the governments of France and the United States along with their surrogates have sought to undermine the political and economic objectives of these developing nations. When the military Committee for the Safeguard of Our Homeland (CNSP) took power in Niger last year on July 26, Paris and Washington sought to have members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) stage a military intervention into this uranium-rich country to reimpose the French and U.S.-backed ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

Burkina Faso Nationalizes United Kingdom Gold Mines

Burkina Faso will nationalize two gold mines at a cost of about US $80 million. The Boungou and Wahgnion mines were sold last year by London-listed Endeavour Mining to Lilium Mining for US $300 million. On August 27, the mines were purchased by Burkina Faso’s government for a fraction of this cost. “This strategic move is aimed at reclaiming Burkina Faso’s mineral wealth,” said Joe Hotagua of African Streams, “ensuring that a larger portion of the profits benefits Burkinabe people.” Endeavour Mining is based in London, UK, and claims to be the largest gold producer in West Africa. It also possesses assets in Senegal and Ivory Coast. Recently, allegations of serious misconduct have been levied against its mining operations in Ivory Coast.

Mali And Niger Break Diplomatic Relations With Ukraine

Since the beginning of the Russian Special Military Operation in Ukraine, the African continent has become a major battleground in the renewed Cold War between Moscow and Washington. In recent weeks in response to an attack by rebels in the north of Mali in Tinzaoten, the military government based in Bamako has revealed that Ukrainian military forces were involved in an ambush against its soldiers and Russian security advisors on July 27. Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have formed an Alliance of Sahel States (AES) which has formerly broken with the western-backed Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

AES First Summit: Burkina Faso President Delivers Historic Speech

On 6th July 2024, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger officially created the Alliance of Sahel States Confederation. In this historic address, Captain Ibrahim Traoré delivers a powerful and inspiring speech at the 1st Summit of Heads of State of AES (African Economic and Security) Member Countries With a focus on unity, economic cooperation, and regional security, Captain Traoré emphasizes the importance of collaboration among member states to foster sustainable development and stability across the continent. His speech highlights key initiatives and strategies to enhance economic growth, strengthen security measures, and promote peace and prosperity within the AES region.

The Sahel Stands Up; The World Must Pay Attention

On July 6 and 7, the leaders of the three main countries in Africa’s Sahel region—just south of the Sahara Desert—met in Niamey, Niger, to deepen their Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This was the first summit of the three heads of state of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, who now constitute the Confederation of the AES. This was not a hasty decision, since it had been in the works since 2023 when the leaders and their associates held meetings in Bamako (Mali), Niamey (Niger), and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso); in May 2024, in Niamey, the foreign ministers of the three countries had developed the elements of the Confederation.

Iran’s President Raisi Joined BRICS, Pushed For Multipolar World

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on May 19, left behind a legacy of working to build a more multipolar world. Under Raisi, Iran joined BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Global South-led institutions that he noted could challenge US unilateralism and hegemony. The late Iranian leader advocated a “Look East” strategy, strengthening relations with China, Russia, and other countries in Asia. Raisi represented a more nationalist wing of the political class in Tehran, which sees the futility of trying to win Western approval, and instead recognizes that Iran’s political and economic future lies in deepening integration with the Global South.
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