Tens of thousands took to the streets across Burkina Faso today April 30, 2025, in demonstrations backing interim leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré, days after authorities foiled what they described as a coup attempt and amid growing accusations of foreign meddling.
The rallies, organized with government support, were framed as a unified rejection of “Western interference,” particularly after recent comments by U.S. General Michael Langley alleging that Burkina Faso had redirected gold reserves to finance its own defense needs.
Protesters waved national flags and held signs reading “Hands Off Traoré” and “Our Gold, Our Security”, signaling both defiance and loyalty to the embattled captain who came to power in 2022 through a military takeover.
“We are here to say Traoré is our choice. No to foreign control,” one demonstrator said in the capital, Ouagadougou.
Support for Traoré has extended beyond Burkina Faso’s borders. Young activists in The Gambia announced plans to stage solidarity protests, while members of the global Black diaspora amplified online campaigns with hashtags like #HandsOffTraoré and #PanAfricanUnity.
Observers say this groundswell of pan-African solidarity reflects a broader anti-colonial sentiment reverberating across parts of West Africa, particularly in countries grappling with internal instability and historic Western ties.
Since Traoré seized power citing the government’s failure to contain Islamist insurgencies, Burkina Faso has experienced multiple coups plots the latest prior attempt in September 2023.
The April demonstrations were intended to project unity but also revealed the fragile undercurrents shaping the country’s political future.
Traoré’s government has struggled to balance domestic pressures with growing international scrutiny, especially regarding its strategic partnerships and control over natural resources.
With a draft constitution under review and regional instability looming, analysts say public backing will be crucial for Traoré’s continued grip on power.
By: J.W Quarm
