West Africa: The Rise of Burkina Faso's Traoré and the Sahel's New Order - Can Ecowas Keep Up?

West Africa: The Rise of Burkina Faso's Traoré and the Sahel's New Order - Can Ecowas Keep Up?

Analysis - The political landscape of West Africa is shifting in ways that no one, least of all ECOWAS, seems prepared to handle. What began as a troubling pattern of military coups has evolved into something far more profound: the forging of a new political identity across the Sahel, led most visibly by Burkina Faso's young and dynamic leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

Mfonobong Inyang: The Curious Case Of Ibrahim Traore and A Changing Africa

There are decades where nothing happens and there are weeks where decades happen – this seems to be the state of play in Africa right now. We are tempted to accept our fate as the ‘dark continent’ and swallow hook, line and sinker every unfortunate narrative pinned upon us. Africa is not poor, Africa is exploited. Having seen and heard a lot of chatter about Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso, it became imperative for me to piece together what I wou…

New Botswana leader hails Burkina Faso's Traore

Botswana’s new president, Duma Gideon Boko, has appreciated Burkina Faso’s president, Ibrahim Traoré’s method of governing, saying it is the quickest way to development. “Traoré, my good friend—when he wakes up with an idea, he dreams it up. By the next morning, he makes a pronouncement: it becomes law, it becomes policy, and action follows immediately. His words are obeyed instantly, without question. But when I wake up and say something, peopl…

The Captain Who Said No: Why Ibrahim Traoré Is Africa’s Most Watched Man

When a young army captain takes control of a small, landlocked country, it rarely makes the news. But Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso isn’t playing by the usual script. At just 37 years old, he’s done what few African leaders have dared: kicked out foreign troops, nationalized gold, slashed his own paycheck, and told global powers to stop treating Africa like a charity project or a chessboard. And now, suddenly, everyone is paying attention. Trao…