Burkina Faso’s transitional president, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has urged his people to combat misinformation that portrays Africa in a negative light.
During a visit to the Central Plateau region in the capital, Ouagadougou, he reaffirmed his opposition to Western influence in Africa, particularly in Burkina Faso.
He stated that imperialist powers aim to create chaos to facilitate the exploitation of Africa’s resources. Despite lacking large gold reserves, many Western countries still possess substantial quantities, which he views as evidence of resource exploitation.
The Head of State emphasized that Burkina Faso is no longer just fighting against terrorism but is now engaged in a struggle for independence.
He also criticized Western media, warning citizens about the dangers of disinformation and emphasizing that controlling the narrative is a critical aspect of modern warfare.
Traoré expressed regret for previously listening to media outlets such as Radio France Internationale (RFI) and urged citizens to stop relying on foreign news sources that distort Africa’s image.
He revealed that in 2022, Jeune Afrique magazine attempted to offer its services to his administration, but he declined, stating that representatives from the publication had approached the government with proposals.
Since September 2023, Jeune Afrique has been suspended in Burkina Faso for allegedly spreading disinformation. Earlier, in December 2022, the government also suspended RFI’s programming, citing serious breaches and the dissemination of false information.