Captain Ibrahim Traoré 2yrs Achievements

Captain Ibrahim Traoré is the interim President of Burkina Faso, having assumed power on September 30, 2022, after a military coup. At just 34 years old at the time of taking office, he became the world’s youngest leader and head of state. Traoré led the coup that ousted Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, citing the deteriorating security situation and the failure to counter increasing jihadist violence in the country.

Key Highlights of Captain Ibrahim Traoré Leadership:

  1. Background and Military Career:
    • Born in 1988 in Bondokuy, western Burkina Faso.
    • Trained as a military officer and served in the Burkinabé Armed Forces, particularly in the fight against insurgent groups in the Sahel region.
  2. Motivations for the Coup:
    • The coup was driven by dissatisfaction within the military and population over Damiba’s inability to curb jihadist violence linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS.
    • Traoré promised to refocus resources and efforts on reclaiming territory lost to armed groups.
  3. Governance Goals:
    • He has pledged to restore security, stabilize the country, and address widespread humanitarian issues caused by conflict.
    • Traoré aims to transition power back to civilian leadership, though a specific timeline has faced scrutiny.
  4. Public Support:
    • Traoré initially garnered significant support from Burkinabé citizens frustrated with insecurity and economic struggles.
    • His leadership style and young age resonate with a generation seeking change in Burkina Faso.
  5. International Relations:
    • His administration has faced criticism and sanctions from the international community, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), for the coup and delays in a civilian transition.
    • Traoré has sought to build new alliances, including cooperation with countries like Russia, and reduce dependency on France, Burkina Faso’s former colonial power.
Captain Ibrahim

Captain Ibrahim Traoré Achievement

1. Burkina Faso’s GDP grew from approximately $18.8 billion to $22.1 billion.

2. He has rejected loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. He said, “Africa doesn’t need the World Bank, IMF, Europe, or America.”

3. He reduced the salaries of ministers and parliamentarians by 30% and increased the salaries of civil servants by 50%.

4. He paid off Burkina Faso’s local debts.

5. He established two tomato processing plants, the first-ever in Burkina Faso.

6. In 2023, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art gold mine to enhance local processing capabilities.

7. He stopped the export of unrefined Burkina Faso gold to Europe.

8. He built Burkina Faso’s second cotton processing plant. Previously, the country had only one.

9. He opened the first-ever National Support Center for Artisanal Cotton Processing to assist local cotton farmers.

10. He banned the wearing of British legal wigs and gowns in local courts and introduced traditional Burkinabé attire.

11. He prioritized agriculture by distributing over 400 tractors, 239 tillers, 710 motor pumps, and 714 motorcycles to boost production and support rural stakeholders.

12. He provided access to improved seeds and other farm inputs to maximize agricultural output.

13. Tomato production in Burkina Faso increased from 315,000 metric tonnes in 2022 to 360,000 metric tonnes in 2024.

14. Millet production rose from 907,000 metric tonnes in 2022 to 1.1 million metric tonnes in 2024.

15. Rice production increased from 280,000 metric tonnes in 2022 to 326,000 metric tonnes in 2024.

16. He banned French military operations in Burkina Faso.

17. He banned French media in Burkina Faso.

18. He expelled French troops from Burkina Faso.

19. His government is constructing new roads, widening existing ones, and upgrading gravel roads to paved surfaces.

20. He is building a new airport, the Ouagadougou-Donsin Airport, which is expected to be completed in 2025 with a capacity to handle 1 million passengers annually.

Captain Ibrahim Traoré 2yrs Achievements

Challenges Ahead

  • Managing ongoing jihadist insurgencies, which have displaced millions and claimed thousands of lives.
  • Balancing national sovereignty with international pressures for democratic restoration.
  • Revitalizing the economy while addressing the pressing humanitarian crisis.

Traoré’s presidency marks a critical chapter in Burkina Faso’s history, reflecting broader regional struggles in the Sahel concerning governance, security, and post-colonial dynamics.

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