Ibrahim Traoré: From geologist to the most powerful man in Burkina Faso

In the heart of the African continent, specifically in Burkina Faso, a country suffering under the weight of conflicts. armedCaptain Ibrahim Traoré has emerged as one of the most controversial and interesting figures globally. Traoré, who is only 38 years old, has transformed from a “shy” artillery officer into the leader of the coup that seized power in Burkina Faso, resisting successive attempts to overthrow him, the last of which was last January.

Origins and Career

Ibrahim Traoré was born on March 14, 1988, in Bondokouy, and grew up in a simple rural environment in a Muslim family from the “Dioula” people. His beginnings did not suggest a tumultuous military career, as he obtained a bachelor’s degree in geology in 2010 from the University of Ouagadougou.

However, the young man’s ambition extended beyond the layers of the earth, as in the same year he joined the “George Namonu” Military Academy, graduating with the rank of second lieutenant. His colleagues at that time described him as a student who was “shy, reserved, and intelligent all at once.”.

Field progression

Traore began his rise within the ranks of the army from the First Military Region in “Kaya”. His early years of service specialized in confronting armed groups, and he participated in major operations such as “Putting Off Fire” in 2019.

Despite his lack of traditional decorations, he gained a reputation as a “strong and brave” officer, and one of his most famous field stances was when he boldly told his soldiers: “The jihadists do not wear bulletproof vests, so we do not need them either.”.

The road to the palace 

In early 2022, Traore participated in the coup led by Colonel Paul Henri Damiba to overthrow the civilian regime. However, disagreements soon arose, and just nine months later, in September 2022, Traore led a coup against Damiba himself, justifying it by the leadership's failure to protect the country from terrorism.

On October 21, 2022, Traore was sworn in as the “youngest head of state in the world.”.

In his first speech, he addressed the officials, saying: “I know I am younger than most of you… We had no choice but to save the country.”.

The dream of economic and military transformation

Many have compared Traoré to the late revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara, given the similarity in their military ranks and their age when they assumed power. Since coming to power, Traoré has focused on some important points, which are as follows:

1- Restructuring the army by equipping the forces with the latest equipment and declaring “general mobilization”.

2- Economic transformation, through supporting the agriculture and energy sectors to reduce external dependence.

3- National sovereignty, through taking firm stances towards international powers and strengthening regional cooperation.

Details of the failed assassination plot

Traoré's rise to power was not without its challenges; last January, authorities announced the thwarting of a "serious" coup attempt. According to the Minister of Security, Mohamedou Sanah, the plot involved:

1- The assassination of Traore through a direct attack or by planting explosives around his house.

2- Disabling the drone base to paralyze air defense operations.

3- Ground intervention by forces supported from abroad.

The government has formally accused former president Damiba, who lives in exile in Togo, of being the mastermind behind the operation, with massive funding allegedly originating from Ivory Coast.

According to reports, the repeated coup attempts have led to a change in the young president's behavior. Reports indicate that he has become extremely cautious, reducing his circle of close associates to only his family members and a few confidants, taking strict security measures and avoiding nighttime appearances, in an attempt to maintain the stability of his regime amidst a turbulent environment.