A few months ago, Captain Ibrahim Traore, the President of Burkina Faso, stated that Russia is like family to Africa, highlighting the deep connection between the two. This statement foreshadowed an unexpected military collaboration between Burkina Faso and Russia. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, Captain Traore is a commendable leader with a vision for strengthening both Africa and his nation. This sentiment was reinforced when Russia's recent deployment of troops to Burkina Faso took the West by surprise. Previously, there were speculations linking terrorism in Burkina Faso to France, giving France a pretext to station its troops there. However, Captain Traore expelled the French forces, creating a void that Russia has since filled.
Questions now arise: How many Russian troops have been deployed to Burkina Faso, and what are their objectives? Can they eradicate foreign-backed terrorism in the country once and for all? To understand this, we need to look back at events in 2022 when Burkina Faso's trajectory changed dramatically under Captain Traore's interim presidency. His unexpected rise to power marked the beginning of a transformation that aimed to reposition Burkina Faso as a model African state.
Following a coup in Burkina Faso, many demonstrators sought Russia’s assistance, expressing their dissatisfaction with France’s inability to curb militant violence. The day after the coup, crowds in the capital celebrated the military's takeover, clearly signaling their rejection of French influence and their desire for Russian support. This shift reflects how Islamist violence in the Sahel region is altering alliances and challenging the established pro-Western democratic order. Protesters cited Russia's successful interventions in the Central African Republic and Mali, hoping for similar outcomes in Burkina Faso.
Andrew Lebovich, a policy expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations, noted that Europe, particularly France, has struggled to combat jihadist groups in the Sahel, creating an opportunity for Russia to expand its security cooperation in the region, especially in Mali. Russia typically focuses on countries rich in resources but in need of military assistance where Western influence is declining. According to Western experts, Russia provides support through military advisors, arms, or mercenaries, often funded by cash or mining rights for valuable resources like gold and diamonds.
Russia's involvement in Mali, where the ruling junta employed the Wagner Group to fight Islamist militants, has faced criticism from France, especially after clashes between Russian mercenaries and militants. Yet in Burkina Faso, where French-supported efforts have struggled against Islamist groups, public opinion increasingly favors Russian intervention. Inspired by Mali’s defiance of France and its shift toward Russia, many in Burkina Faso view Russia as a viable alternative.
A significant challenge for Burkina Faso has been terrorism, and there have been covert reports suggesting France’s involvement in perpetuating instability to justify its military presence and protect its interests. Despite the departure of French troops, terrorism persisted, seemingly increasing to remind Burkina Faso of the supposed importance of the French forces. In response, Captain Traore played a strategic card by initiating a military partnership with Russia.
Since taking power in September 2022, Captain Traore has kept his alliances discreet. However, the arrival of a Russian aircraft at Ouagadougou's Thomas Sankara Airport, carrying about 20 soldiers, revealed the new alliance. Nine months after the end of French operations in Burkina Faso, the junta established a new partnership with Putin’s Russia.
