Burkina Faso’s military leader, Capt. Ibrahim Traore, has accused France of altering its strategy to retain influence in Africa, even as several nations expel French forces and military bases.
Speaking at a ceremony in Ouagadougou on Monday, Traore claimed France is shifting to covert operations. “They will no longer leave some countries entirely. Instead, they will establish security companies to protect their interests while keeping soldiers in disguise, not in uniform or visible bases,” he said, lamenting that many African leaders have not recognized this shift.
Burkina Faso, under military rule since January 2022, was one of the first nations to expel French forces. The trend has since expanded, with countries like Niger and Mali also removing French military bases. Chad, Senegal, and Ivory Coast have demanded similar withdrawals, with French troops expected to exit Chad by the end of January. Currently, Djibouti and Gabon are the only African nations hosting French forces.
Call to Break Military Ties
Traore urged African nations to sever military cooperation agreements with France, stating, “This is the only path to building independent and strong armies.” He criticized colonial-era defense pacts as obstacles to true sovereignty, adding, “The problem lies in the agreements signed since independence.”
Traore also dismissed recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron, who suggested that African leaders were ungrateful for France’s assistance in combating insurgencies in the Sahel region. “This is just a smokescreen,” Traore said, warning Africans to remain cautious.
He identified French military advisers as the most dangerous agents of influence. “They are the ones implementing France’s policies in Africa,” he said.
Traore concluded by calling on Africans to unite against imperialism, decolonize their mentalities, and prioritize the welfare of their people. “It is time for Africans to wake up, work for their happiness, and fight against forces that seek to exploit our continent,” he declared.