Behind the brewing tension between Burkina Faso and Western powers lies a quietly revolutionary set of reforms spearheaded by President Ibrahim Traoré — and some believe these very reforms have made him a target.
In a video that has since gone viral, VeryDarkMan, a well-known Nigerian content creator, argues that Traoré’s radical governance model has shaken up the old world order.
Since seizing power through a military-led transition in 2022, Traoré has:
1. Declared free education from primary school to university.
2. Raised the national minimum wage.
3. Abolished taxes for individuals.
He has also made sweeping moves to reclaim control over the country’s mineral wealth, most notably its gold reserves. His decision to expel French troops and foreign corporations has made him a symbol of Pan-African resistance — but also a target, according to VeryDarkMan.
“He’s showing off the gold now, telling his people it belongs to them,” the influencer said. “And suddenly, the West is worried?”
VeryDarkMan insists that these changes are making a difference for ordinary Burkinabè — but they are also shaking up long-standing Western interests, prompting pushback disguised as concern for governance and stability.
“When Libya had Gaddafi, they called him a dictator and killed him. Today, Libya has no functioning government. Is that what they want for Burkina Faso too?”
