Ibrahim Traore: Sovereignty, Unity and Resistance
2025
At the inaugural summit of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) held in Niamey on July 6, 2024, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, President of Burkina Faso, delivered a powerful speech emphasizing sovereignty, unity, and resistance against neocolonialism. He criticized the "pretence of independence granted to African states in the 60s," highlighting the continued exploitation of natural resources and the imposition of foreign values under the guise of democracy and human rights. Traoré denounced the role of certain African elites, referring to them as "house slaves," who serve imperialist interests at the expense of their own people. He stated, "Imperialists view Africa as their dominion, believing they own our people, lands, and resources. Since the illusory independence granted to African nations in the 1960s, they've installed local proxies to maintain their control." Emphasizing the importance of self-determination, Traoré declared that the AES nations would no longer be manipulated and would stand united against any external aggression. He called for the expansion of the alliance's focus beyond defense to include finance, economy, infrastructure, health, and education, aiming for true independence and fulfillment for their populations. True African History Concluding his speech, Traoré invoked a powerful message of resilience and unity: "We will not tremble; we will fight. We will fight for real independence, for our freedom... The homeland."