Terrorism and Gold… Burkina Faso Traces Its Troubles Back to French Legacy
Burkina Faso is tracing the roots of terrorism spreading on its territory and has decided to mine gold on its own, steps that challenge France’s legacy in West Africa.
New accusations and criticisms from Ouagadougou are directed towards Paris, planting arrows in countries in the region still seen as “subservient” to the European country.
The head of the ruling military council in Burkina Faso accused neighboring Ivory Coast and Benin of attempting to destabilize the country amid tensions looming over West Africa.
Terrorism In a speech lasting over 90 minutes, transitional President Ibrahim Traore outlined the main directions the country intends to take over the next five years.
He attacked “imperialists” and accused them of seeking to destabilize Burkina Faso and other neighboring countries in West Africa and plunder them.
“We have nothing against the Ivorian people, but we have something against those who run Ivory Coast,” he said, accusing the country of hosting an “operational center for destabilization” targeting Burkina Faso.
“We will present you with physical evidence,” he added.
Traore criticized Ivory Coast, which remains allied with Paris, rejecting its support.
He also criticized Benin, saying his neighbor hosts “two French bases” in the north of the country.
He pointed out that these two bases were “operational centers for terrorists” who regularly strike Burkina Faso.
These accusations, rejected by Paris and Cotonou, were earlier made this year by Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Zin.
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Gold Traore also noted that Burkina Faso will reclaim mining licenses to mine gold and other minerals on its own.
Last week, Burkina Faso and its neighbors Niger and Mali formed an alliance known as the “Union of Sahel States”.
Military leaders ruling Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced a new “confederation”, breaking ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which they accuse of being under the influence of France, their former colonizer.
At the end of last May, Burkina Faso adopted a charter allowing the military regime to remain in power for another five years.
