In a powerful show of unity and defiance against external interference, thousands of demonstrators rallied across Burkina Faso and beyond on Wednesday in support of Captain Ibrahim Traoré and his transitional government. The global demonstrations came just days after authorities in Ouagadougou claimed to have foiled an attempted coup allegedly orchestrated with foreign backing.
Waving Burkinabe and Russian flags, protesters packed central squares, brandishing placards declaring, “Down with imperialism and its local lackeys” and “Full support for President Ibrahim Traoré and the people of Burkina Faso.” Demonstrations echoed across cities in Africa and among the African diaspora worldwide, signaling widespread solidarity for Burkina Faso’s anti-imperialist stance.
The show of support prompted an official message from President Traoré, who addressed the nation and its allies with a firm and resolute tone:
“I would like to express my gratitude to all the peace-loving, freedom-loving patriots and pan-Africanists who rallied around the world on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, to support our commitment and our vision for a new Burkina Faso and a new Africa, free from imperialism and neo-colonialism.”
Traoré’s address comes amid rising tensions following the junta’s announcement on April 21 that it had uncovered a “major plot” to overthrow the government, allegedly involving high-ranking military officials and foreign elements, particularly from neighboring Côte d’Ivoire.
In his message, the President emphasized the moral justification of the government’s path:
“Your active solidarity and this demonstration of sympathy strengthens our conviction that the fight we are waging for a fairer and more equitable world is justified.”
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to resist external pressure:
“We will never bend our backs in the face of adversity; we will stand firm until our peoples are truly emancipated. With you, we are certain that victory over the forces of evil is at hand.”
The National Coordination of the Civilian Vigil, a coalition of pro-junta civil society groups, had called for the mass mobilization in support of Traoré. The movement appears to be gaining traction across the continent, with similar rallies reported in Mali, Niger, and diaspora communities in Europe and the Americas.
In neighboring Mali, which also experienced a military takeover, a recent national dialogue recommended that junta leader Assimi Goïta remain president for a five-year transition period, signaling a broader regional trend of popular support for military-led governance resisting Western influence.
Traoré’s closing words echoed with a rallying cry for pan-African unity:“Together, in solidarity, we will defeat imperialism and neo-colonialism for a free, dignified and sovereign Africa.”
As Burkina Faso navigates its complex transitional period, the groundswell of global support for Traoré reflects a wider yearning among many African populations for self-determination, sovereignty, and a break from the vestiges of colonial domination.
