Thousands of Burkinabè citizens took to the streets in several cities across the country in mass demonstrations to express their support for transitional president Ibrahim Traoré. Waving national flags and holding portraits of the leader, the demonstrators reaffirmed their backing for his stance against foreign diktats.
The rallies were organized in response to a call from the National Committee for Civic Vigilance, at a time when relations with the United States have become strained following controversial remarks by an American general.
In the capital, Ouagadougou, hundreds of protesters gathered at Revolution Square, chanting slogans in support of President Traoré and denouncing the statements made by General Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), which were seen as an affront to the country’s sovereignty.
Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyélem de Tambèla attended the demonstration and conveyed a message of gratitude from the president to the crowd. He emphasized that these rallies represent “a strong response to smear campaigns and disinformation,” and that the legitimacy of the transitional leadership is grounded in the people’s support.
Similar demonstrations took place in Bobo-Dioulasso, Koudougou, and Ouahigouya, where participants held up the flags of Burkina Faso, Russia, Mali, and Niger — signaling their support for the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a bloc of countries united in facing security and regional challenges.
These public mobilizations come amid rising tensions between Burkina Faso and its traditional Western allies, in contrast to growing alignment with Russia and neighboring African nations. This shift reflects a broader political and popular discourse asserting national sovereignty and rejecting foreign interference.
