At 36, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, adorned with freshly minted captain’s insignia, presides over a presidential palace acquired not through democratic elections—a system he himself dismantled. This convenient abolition means there’s no longer a need to mislead voters; instead, deception can be directed straight at journalists.
This was precisely his approach, seated within the Koulouba palace, addressing six journalists gathered to absorb his pronouncements. For two uninterrupted hours, the youthful captain eloquently spun a narrative of success: the military was reclaiming lost territories, industrial sectors were flourishing, gold reserves were accumulating, infrastructure projects like highways were expanding, and the people of Burkina Faso had never experienced such profound liberty. All that seemed absent was a stirring musical score and a national flag proudly unfurling in the breeze.
A stark report shatters the celebratory mood
The stark reality, however, presented a critical counterpoint. As Traoré reveled in his monologue, Human Rights Watch (HRW) unveiled a devastating 351-page report. This comprehensive document, titled “No One Will Escape,” meticulously detailed survivor testimonies, satellite imagery, and lists of the deceased. It documented the killing of 1,837 civilians over a two-and-a-half-year period. Responsibility was attributed to the national army, the VDP militias, and JNIM jihadist factions. While various groups were involved in violence, the report underscored that state-affiliated forces engaged in systematic killings, often with drone surveillance overhead and direct orders from higher command.
The report highlighted grave accusations: war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the ethnic targeting of the Fulani community. Specific incidents included the summary execution of 223 civilians, among them 56 children, at Nondin in February 2024; hundreds dead in Baraboulé in December 2023; and the massacre of 130 Fulani near Solenzo in March 2025. Evidence pointed to mass graves and compelling survivor accounts, corroborated by satellite data.
Yet, for some, such extensive documentation is conveniently dismissed as merely another Western conspiracy.
The ‘liberated’ towns, built on tragedy
Adding a layer of disturbing irony, Traoré proudly cited the very towns mentioned in the HRW report: Baraboulé, Pétégoli—declared “recaptured!” A commendable feat, indeed. However, HRW’s documentation revealed that these locations were sites of Operation Tchéfari 2, ominously translated as “The Warriors’ Honey” in Fulfulde—a poetic name for massacres. In these areas, the army reportedly killed hundreds of civilians across 16 villages. While state television lauded these as “successes,” survivors harrowing accounts described them as slaughterhouses. A clear divergence in perspective.
Traoré’s explanation for these killings was equally perplexing: he claimed they were perpetrated by terrorists in disguise, who then filmed their own atrocities. This narrative suggests an impressive level of sophistication for individuals who, according to Traoré, merely “read the Quran in the bush”—implying these terrorists don Burkinabè uniforms, coordinate military drones, deploy multiple battalions, only to then return to their hideouts.
The unmentioned truth: targeting the Fulani community
During his two-hour interview, the word “Fulani” was conspicuously absent. Not once was it uttered. Zero. Nada. This omission is akin to discussing World War II without ever mentioning the Jewish people—technically possible, yet morally indefensible.
HRW’s report meticulously documented the systematic targeting of the Fulani community, who constitute 8% of the population. They are collectively accused of terrorism, leading to village-by-village massacres and the displacement of hundreds of thousands. The report even quoted Traoré himself, speaking to Fulani leaders in February 2023: “There will be many dead. And it will be more complicated for your community.” His presidential guard chief was reportedly even more explicit: “We will kill them all.”
Despite this, the official stance maintains there is no “Fulani problem” in Burkina Faso, only a “problem of Fulani.”
Freedom of expression: a cruel joke
Traoré asserted that Burkinabè citizens enjoy “much more freedom” than their European counterparts. This holds a grim truth: they are free to vanish. Journalists have been abducted and forcibly conscripted into militias. Independent media outlets have been shut down. Human rights websites are blocked. The electoral commission has been abolished, and the death penalty reinstated.
To further control the narrative, pro-junta troll networks, dubbed the “BIR-C” (Rapid Communication Intervention Battalions), saturate social media with propaganda and deepfakes that glorify the young captain. By comparison, even Kim Jong-un’s propaganda machine appears rudimentary.
Justice, selectively applied
HRW has called for an investigation into Traoré for command responsibility, naming six generals. Yet, none have faced trial. The junta’s decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) speaks volumes: typically, those with nothing to hide don’t flee international tribunals.
Meanwhile, Traoré publicly shames corrupt traffic officers caught pocketing 500 CFA francs, elevating such minor infractions to national scandals. In stark contrast, the massacre of hundreds of civilians by the army is dismissed as “terrorist perfidy.” The regime’s priorities are disturbingly clear.
The familiar scapegoat: the West
Any criticism is swiftly deflected. A European Parliament resolution? Interference. The French army chief? Advised to “mind his own business.” NGOs? Manipulators. Media? Liars. The internet? Fake. Territorial maps? Fake. The 351-page HRW report with 450 interviews? Also fake. In this narrative, everything is fabricated except for his own pronouncements.
While the postcolonial grievance against France’s historical exploitation of Africa is legitimate, using this historical fact as an impenetrable shield against criticism, while simultaneously massacring one’s own populace, mirrors a rapid descent into authoritarianism reminiscent of Mugabe. Anti-imperialism does not confer a license to kill.
In a recent development, Traoré encouraged Burkinabè citizens to “have children” because “the land is rich.” Indeed, the land is proving rich enough to bury many.
