The Bill of Terrorism and the Specter of Rebellion… Burkina Faso on a Tense Hotplate
No one knows yet what happened a few days ago in front of the Burkinabé presidency headquarters, nor the reason why the Chief of Staff of the army called his soldiers to prepare for an “attack.”
But what is certain is that the African country is standing on shifting sands due to the recurrence of terrorist operations, particularly after an attack on the town of Mansila on the Niger border, which appears to have caused significant casualties among the army.
A “military incapacity,” according to observers, while others say that the palace now occupied by a general is setting an ineffective strategy to counter the terrorists, threatening a mutiny in the barracks that could lead to rebellion or an attempted coup.
Traoré Finally Appears
Burkinabé President Ibrahim Traoré sparked controversy by not appearing since last Wednesday, where he did not comment on the explosions that targeted the square of the national television headquarters in the capital Ouagadougou, causing injuries and material damage, according to sources.
Moreover, the statement issued by the Chief of Staff of the army the following day, Thursday, ordering soldiers to be prepared for an attack at any moment, sparked much speculation.
Meanwhile, the official silence continues about what happened, leading to speculation and scenarios that have reached the point of talking about an attempted coup that was aborted early.
Local media reports highlighted the notable absence of the president, which apparently prompted the authorities to respond to these questions, albeit indirectly, with Traoré appearing yesterday, Friday, in the main news bulletin on the national television.
In the opening of the 1 pm news bulletin, it was announced that “the President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, donated blood this morning at the Koulouba Palace. With the onset of the rainy season and the malaria period, the President seized the opportunity.”
In the footage broadcast by the television, Traoré indeed appeared surrounded by several guards and nurses leaning on his arm to draw his blood.
Traoré said during his blood donation: “The question we need to ask ourselves is: don’t you feel proud when you know your blood will save someone’s life?”
He added: “This is what should lead every Burkinabé to donate blood. We must do everything we can to donate blood to save children and pregnant women who are currently the most vulnerable.”
Military Campaign
The report stops at the end of the President’s statements and immediately moves on to a completely different topic without mentioning Wednesday’s explosions or the Chief of General Staff who ordered soldiers to be prepared for a possible attack.
Shortly afterward, the government daily newspaper “Sidwaya” published other photos of the head of state, this time with activist Kemi Seba in the presidential palace, in what appears to be a communication campaign.
At the same time, local media spoke of a large-scale military operation that the Burkinabé army is preparing for in the Sahel region, following a terrorist attack that killed many soldiers.
Specter of Rebellion?
Several security sources reported to Radio France Internationale angry movements in barracks in Burkina Faso following the attack on the town of Mansila on the Niger border.
Terrorists from the group “Ansar Dine” took control of the local military base this week.
While there is no official assessment of the attack’s toll, according to sources from Radio France Internationale, more than a hundred soldiers are still missing.
Meanwhile, questions continue about the reality of what happened and is happening in a country besieged by terrorist attacks and internal challenges.
