Thousands of people rallied Wednesday in Burkina Faso’s capital in a show of support for transitional President Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, following recent criticism from a top U.S. military official.
Protesters gathered in Ouagadougou carrying placards and blowing whistles, condemning comments made earlier this month by Gen. Michael Langley, head of U.S. Africa Command, who accused Traoré of exploiting the country’s mining resources for the benefit of the ruling junta rather than the Burkinabé people.
“Burkina Faso is not against anyone, but we will no longer tolerate looting,” said musician and demonstrator Ocibi Joan. “The general is a liar. We own our resources, we use them how we want, and we sell them to whomever we want.”
Another protester, Haroun Sawadogo, warned against any threat to the president, saying: “If they want to eliminate Captain Traoré, they must eliminate the people first.”
The rally came just days after military authorities claimed to have uncovered a plot to overthrow the transitional government. It marked the largest public display of support for Traoré since he took power in a coup in September 2022.
Several members of parliament, including Prime Minister Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, attended the demonstration. Addressing the crowd, Ouédraogo declared: “The time has come to never again kneel before the world. May the people of Burkina Faso and the Sahel free themselves permanently.”
The mass mobilization reflects the junta’s ongoing efforts to consolidate power and push back against international criticism as it continues to face internal and external pressures.