A Namibian lawmaker has openly praised Burkina Faso’s transitional President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, describing him as a bold and visionary young leader who has shaken the global economic order and become an inspiration across Africa.
In a passionate speech delivered during a session of Namibia’s Parliament, the MP, whose identity was not immediately mentioned in the circulating video, drew attention to the transformational leadership of Traoré, particularly in how Burkina Faso has reclaimed control over its natural resources.
“You see, Traoré has become a hero too, Professor,” the lawmaker began. “I and him will drink coffee about Traoré… But he’s doing two good things. He becomes an international icon. A young guy, younger than many of us.”
The MP highlighted Traoré’s audacious move to renegotiate uranium deals that had long favored foreign powers at the expense of the Burkinabè people.
“France was buying uranium from Burkina Faso for one billion US dollars every year. He stopped the French from buying his uranium. Today, Burkina Faso is making 85 billion from the same resource.”
The lawmaker contrasted this with Namibia’s own struggles, lamenting the country’s over-dependence on exports without sufficient local value addition or transparency in international dealings.
“We are selling uranium here. We have no nuclear power. Everything is just nuclear, nuclear… We don’t even know if the Chinese are paying us the best price.”
Praising Traoré’s proactive stance, the MP noted that the Burkinabè leader has already begun reinvesting the country’s resource wealth into long-term development, citing the establishment of processing plants and agro-industrial facilities.
“That’s why Traoré is now building up factories, processing plants, agro-processing, because he has resources. We have these resources.”
In closing, the lawmaker called for unity and urgency among Namibians, encouraging deeper national conversations and stronger diplomatic engagement for the country’s future.
“We must start running… This country has an opportunity to penetrate Africa, to penetrate the world. But we must talk to one another so that we get the country going.”
Captain Ibrahim Traoré, 36, seized power in 2022 during a coup that ousted Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba.
Since then, he has positioned himself as a pan-African leader, challenging Western influence and calling for greater self-reliance and unity among African nations.
