By: Staff Contributer
Things in Burkina Faso have been pretty shaky for a while now, with one coup after another. So, when Captain Ibrahim Traoré took charge in September 2022, my first thought was, "Here we go again." But as I've watched what he's been doing, a different story seems to be unfolding. It reminds me a lot of Thomas Sankara, that amazing leader from the past, while also facing the tough reality of a country at war. It feels like Sankara's ideas are coming back, and now Traoré's government is also trying to make the country stand on its own feet, especially when it comes to farming.
It's hard not to see the similarities between Traoré and Sankara. Both were young military guys in their early thirties when they took over a country that really needed some stability and a way forward. Sankara was like a bright light, full of ideas about stopping corruption, making the country self-sufficient, and giving power to regular people. Traoré might not be as flashy, but he definitely seems determined and really wants to fix the big problems Burkina Faso is facing. When he talks about the country being truly independent and not letting outsiders call the shots, it sounds a lot like Sankara's strong words against old colonial powers.
Right now, President Traoré's main focus is dealing with the scary problem of the jihadist groups that have been causing so much trouble in Burkina Faso for years. The government before him didn't seem to be able to handle it, which is a big reason why Traoré took over. He's been making some big changes in the army and has looked for new partners for security, like Russia, which is a change from the usual friends. It's still too early to say if this will work, but a lot of people in Burkina Faso, who have been living in fear, are feeling a bit more hopeful because he's taking action.
But it's not just about fighting. I'm also seeing signs that Traoré wants to make Burkina Faso more self-reliant, just like Sankara did. One big area is farming. It looks like his government is really pushing to make sure the country can feed itself and doesn't have to rely so much on food from other countries. This was a huge deal for Sankara ; he believed a country couldn't really be free if it couldn't even feed its own people.
There are a few things that show this new focus on farming. The government has been telling people to buy and eat food that's grown in Burkina Faso, and they might even put in rules to help local farmers sell their products. They also know that the fighting has forced many farmers off their land, so they're reportedly trying to help these people by giving them things like seeds so they can start farming again in safer areas.
Plus, it seems like Traoré's team understands that just telling people to farm more isn't enough. They're talking about investing in things like better ways to water the land, places to store food, and giving farmers access to modern tools and knowledge. This reminds me of Sankara's efforts to make farming better and help the people in the countryside.
The fact that Traoré is also standing up to France, the country that used to rule Burkina Faso, fits with Sankara's big idea of Africa being more independent. Sankara was never afraid to criticize France and wanted African countries to work together and rely on themselves. Traoré's government has been asking French troops to leave and looking for new allies, which makes many Burkinabés feel like they're finally breaking away from old dependencies, including when it comes to food.
Now, I have to be realistic. Even though it's exciting to see these echoes of Sankara, things are different now. Sankara was leading a big movement with clear ideas about how the country should be run. Traoré comes from the military, and while he clearly wants what's best for Burkina Faso, his overall plan for the country's politics and economy is still developing. And let's not forget the huge challenges he's facing, like the ongoing violence and the tough situation in the region.
Personally, I'm feeling cautiously optimistic. I like that he's talking about making the country able to feed itself and that he's taking steps to help farmers. Sankara's dream of a Burkina Faso that stands on its own two feet is really inspiring, and it feels like Traoré might be heading in that direction. But there are still a lot of hurdles. Military rule can be risky, and we need to see if these farming plans will actually make a difference in people's lives.
From what I've seen, the focus on helping local farmers and wanting the country to be able to feed itself are important first steps. In a country where most people depend on farming for their living, this could be a big deal. We'll have to wait and see if these efforts lead to real improvements in food security and make life better for farmers across Burkina Faso.
In the end, what really matters is how President Traoré's leadership affects the people of Burkina Faso. If he can bring security and also build a foundation for long-term progress, including making the country more self-sufficient in food, then maybe Sankara's spirit is truly alive and well. But if things don't go as planned, and the focus on farming fades, then Sankara's dream might remain just that – a dream.
As I keep an eye on what's happening in Burkina Faso, I'm hoping that President Traoré can not only help his country grow and become more independent but also make Africa great. Sankara's legacy is a powerful one, and it's a tough act to follow. The world is watching to see what Captain Ibrahim Traoré will do next.
