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fighting the key players who attempt to destabilize the Sahel....

The Niger authorities have named the main forces pursuing their attempts to destabilize the Sahel region.

This confirms all previous analyses, as well as the need to continue evicting the West from African countries that have put their faith in national sovereignty, pan-African values and the multipolar world. 

Burkina Faso village survives surprise attack by 1,000 terrorists
'Lord's intervention' that prevented a massacre

 

In a recent interview lasting several hours, Niger’s head of state, army general Abdourahamane Tiani, once again levelled accusations against France, the European Union and the previous US Biden administration, calling them key players in the attempts to destabilize the Sahel.

The facts

The President of Niger has declared that France and other Western acolytes, as well as certain members of the deposed government, are behind the terrorist attacks that have recently plunged the people of Niger into mourning. He also highlighted the intensification of destabilization maneuvers organized by the former colonial power and directed against the countries of the Alliance-Confederation of Sahel States (AES).

Niger should adopt an even more radical attitude towards the interests of Western regimes, following the example of Mali and Burkina Faso, both members of the AES 

“If the AES succeeds, other African countries will want to join the confederation. France and its acolytes are therefore doing their utmost to sabotage the efforts of the military authorities of the Sahel countries”, asserted the Head of State. General Abdourahamane Tiani also recalled that the countries of the Alliance-Confederation of Sahel States are facing a neo-colonialist war, waged by imperialist powers with other pro-neo-colonial assistants who should no longer be called jihadists, and all in the name of the geopolitical and geostrategic interests of neo-colonialist Western powers.

Accusations have also been made of cooperation between Western regimes and certain regional figures, notably from Côte d’Ivoire and Benin, with several terrorist groups operating in the region. Including secret meetings between the aforementioned regimes and terrorists.

General Tiani did not forget to mention information warfare, already analyzed on numerous occasions. The Nigerian president attributed this war to the former colonial powers and certain other Western and pro-Western players. He accused France of conducting digital and media influence campaigns, recruiting web activists and journalists in Sahelian countries through its media cooperation agencies. The aim is to destabilize the authorities in ESA countries, manipulate public opinion and attempt to weaken the Alliance-Confederation of Sahel States on all fronts.

Mention was also made of so-called humanitarian organizations under Western control, which are also involved in a number of destabilization operations, notably in the transfer of financial flows to terrorist groups. This was one of the reasons behind the recent expulsion of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from Niger.

In doing so, General Tiani praised the work of the AES Confederation’s Unified Force, comprising Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, presenting it as a reality that has proved its worth in the field, in contrast to the Economic Community of West African States’ (Ecowas) “Standby Force”, described as ineffective.

The President of Niger also urged the people of the Sahel and beyond to take pride in the efforts underway against Western imperialism, despite the intensification of destabilization actions and the media hype promising “apocalypse”.

The outlook

General Tiani’s comments concur with previous analyses that Western regimes and their regional puppets are stepping up attempts in various directions to destabilize the Alliance-Confederation of Sahel States. At a time when the AES has become an enormous source of inspiration, not only for the people of the Sahel Alliance countries and other states in the region, but also for the entire African continent.

Nevertheless, it is worth noting certain points raised by several representatives of pan-African civil society and Nigerian youth. In particular, that Niger should adopt an even more radical attitude towards the interests of Western regimes, following the example of Mali and Burkina Faso, both members of the AES. Particularly in view of the fact that, although the Nigerien authorities have expelled the French and US military contingents from Niger, the troops of the Italian regime are still present in the country.

Knowing the nature of this resolutely pro-Otanesque regime – it’s not hard to understand that it’s time to show the Italian regime’s troops the exit door too. That’s the first point. The second point concerns the few existing tensions between the Niger authorities and certain Chinese companies present in the country. It is to be hoped that these tensions will ease very soon, given that China, like Russia, is one of the main forces of the multipolar world, both on a global scale and within the framework of the processes underway on the African continent.

Indeed, it’s no coincidence that Western regimes, still dreaming of revenge in Africa after their obvious failures, are increasingly openly threatening China. That’s why it’s so important to maintain the best possible relations between all the main proponents of a multipolar world order. And to pursue together the process of evicting the interests of Western regimes from the African continent.

 

Mikhail Gamandiy-Egorov, entrepreneur, political observer, expert on Africa and the Middle East

https://journal-neo.su/2025/06/08/niger-accuses-eu-and-usa-of-attempting-to-destabilize-sahel-region/

 

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SEE ALSO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbcf5sBUVSE

Over 1,000 insurgents were wiped out in a single night—no warning, no mercy, just fire from the sky. Three drones, backed by ground forces, turned the Arbinda corridor into a war zone of smoke and silence.
But how did Burkina Faso, once dismissed as vulnerable, pull off the most ruthless ambush in the Sahel’s history? Let’s find out. As the African Diaspora saying goes, "I am because we are, and we are because I am."

 

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Just an hour after villagers in Rambo, Burkina Faso, completed a community effort to protect against surprise attacks, around 1,000 terrorists stormed their peaceful community, home to both Christians and Muslims.

On Oct. 17, 2024, suspected members of al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) arrived in an assault that could have led to devastating losses.

Earlier that day, hundreds of residents gathered to clear trees and brush from the surrounding areas — a preventive measure against terrorist ambushes. Under the protection of Burkina Faso’s military forces and the Volunteers for Defense of the Homeland (VDP), a local pro-government militia, the villagers completed their project by 1 p.m. and returned to their homes, believing the worst of the day’s challenges were behind them.

But only an hour later, gunfire erupted. The militants, likely unaware of the military and VDP presence, launched a massive offensive, attempting to overrun the village. Most residents had already gone inside, escaping the line of fire. The armed forces, backed by drones, immediately countered the terrorists, protecting villagers and engaging the attackers in an intense battle. Within just an hour, the military had largely driven the militants back, securing Rambo and preventing a far worse outcome.

 

The swift and decisive response spared Rambo the kind of devastation that struck the Burkina Fasotown of Barsalogho in August. In that attack, JNIM fighters ambushed villagers as they dug protective trenches, killing an estimated 600 civilians in one of the deadliest terrorist assaults in Burkina Faso’shistory. Just a day later, 26 Christians were murdered while worshipping at a nearby church, and hundreds more were forced to flee on foot.

SEE ALSO: The hidden hand behind the ISIS/Al Qaeda takeover of a vast stretch of Africa

 

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YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT.

 

         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.

independence....

 

Burkina Faso’s Government of Change Confronts Imperialism
W. T. WHITNEY

 

Captain Ibrahim Traoré, 34 years old, became the provisional head of Burkina Faso’s government after a military coup in September 2022. His government seeks to finish off the remnants of French colonial power, build economic independence, develop infrastructure, satisfy some of the population’s basic needs, and ward off U.S. intervention.

The lesson to be taken from happenings there is that in the Global South, national independence must be achieved before meaningful social change of aprogressive nature can take place.

There was mention of Traoré at an April 3 hearing in Washington held by the Senate Committee on Armed Services. Senator Roger Wicker commented on “the ruling elite of a country [in Africa] receiving gratuities on the side.” Responding, General Michael Langley, head of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), statedthat, for “Captain Traore in Burkina Faso … gold reserves … are just in exchange to protect the Junta [sic] regime.”

Burkina Faso does envision other purposes for its gold. Langley’s remark provoked a wave of criticism in Africa and the United States.

AFRICOM’s Operation Flintlock involving 500 troops from 30 African nations took place in Ivory Coast from April 24, when General Langley was on hand, to May 14. On April 22 authorities there foiled a “major plot” to assassinate Traoré – one of many such attempts. Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso are not on friendly terms.

Traoré was in Moscow on May 10 for the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany. He arrived on a Russian plane sent to Burkina Faso to bring him. At a meeting attended by high Russian officials, President Vladimir Putin assured Traoré of Russia’s cooperation in fighting terrorism, “restoring the rule of law,” strengthening trade, and educating Burkina Faso youth. Traoré spoke of defending against imperialism, providing science education and developing “our own production, industry, and engineering.”

Traoré studied geology at Burkina Faso’s University of Ouagadougou. He joined a Marxist student association. As a military officer he joined a United Nations peacekeeping force intervening in a civil war in Mali. He later led troops fighting Jihadist insurgents in Burkina Faso.

Traoré takes inspiration from Thomas Sankara, Burkina Faso’s coup-installed president from 1983 until his assassination in 1987. Marxist-oriented Sankara aligned with revolutionary Cuba and Nicaragua. His government advanced healthcare, education, literacy, agrarian reform, women’s equality and more.

Apollinaire Kyélem de Tambèla, a pan-Africanist with ties to communist and left-wing organizations, served as Traoré’s prime minister until his dismissal in December 2024. He had collaborated with Sankara in pursuing international solidarity.

 Faso is located in Africa’s Sahel region, a band of semi-arid land south of the Sahara extending from the Atlantic to Eritrea on the Red Sea. France colonized all states in the region, except for Sudan and Eritrea. Their independence, granted in 1960, was flawed.

France maintained military bases in the Sahel and the CFA franc (franc of the French colonies in Africa) remains as the region’s currency.

France requires the various countries to deposit 50% of their currency reserves in the French treasury. Because the currency’s value is pegged to the Euro, individual countries cannot adjust exchange rates to stimulate industrial development. French overvaluation of the CFA franc makes for low purchase prices for exported goods and higher prices for whatever is imported. As a result, Burkina Faso supports its economy by exporting commodities derived from natural resources rather than by selling manufactured products or providing services.

Burkina Faso’s most bountiful exports are gold and raw cotton. The world’s 13thlargest producer of gold, and the fourth largest in Africa, the country also exports copper, manganese, and zinc.

Beginning in 2013, The French military joined regional forces in fighting Jihadist insurgents. But, says one observer, “military assistance [to the French] discouraged African elites from pursuing reform or sharing power, while failing to halt rebel attacks.” U.S. military forces participate as “advisors.”

Meanwhile, military coups in Chad, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso hastened the departure of the French military. French troops will leave Senegal by the end of 2025. To strengthen mutual defense, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger formed the Alliance of Sahel States in September 2023. Four months later, the three nations broke away from the U.S.-inspired Economic Community of West African States. Traoré took a lead role in these transitions.

French oppression is one burden for Burkina Faso; stunted development of human potential is another. Life expectancy at birth is 61 years; expected schooling is 2.3 years. In most of Burkina Faso, 10% of children suffer from acute malnutrition. Infant mortality in 2022 was 50.1 deaths per 1000 live births; the world average that year was 28 deaths. The Human Development Index of the United Nations puts Burkina Faso at number 186 on its list of 193 countries.

The government has accomplished much since Traoré came into power. Observer Nicolas Jones, writing under the heading of “Nkrumah’s Africa,” summarizes:

He continued with his army salary and arranged for a 30% pay cut for government ministers and a 50% increase for civil servants.

Having expelled French troops fighting the Jihadists, Traoré mobilized the already-established Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland, an auxiliary military force. Recruitment far exceeded expectations.

Burkina Faso has built a plant for producing generic drugs, a new cement plant, a new flour mill, and two tomato and two cotton processing plants. An “iconic” and inactive textile factory has been revived.

The government has distributed seeds, fertilizer and equipment to farmers; wheat production is expanding. Another report says mobile clinics are appearing throughout the country.

The government is building and repairing highways and is constructing the new “Thomas Sankara” airport near the capitol city Ouagadougou.

The government no longer takes loans from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

According to intellinews.com, gold has been Burkina Faso’s top export since 2009, accounting in 2023 for 80% of the country’s export income and 22% of government revenues. Foreign companies formally owned and operated all of the country’s gold mines, allowing Burkina Faso a 10% equity share in each one. But Traoré’s government nationalized three of them and, collaborating with an outside mining company, began construction in 2023 of a gold refinery to capture additional income from gold.

A report states that the government, “clearly distancing itself from the West, has strengthened economic and security ties with Russia … and with China, a country that has made many investments in Burkina Faso.” According to Jones, Traoré attended a Russia-Africa summit meeting in 2023 and afterwards declared that the people of Burkina Faso support Russia and that Russia’s embassy would soon reopen. Russia will be building a nuclear plant in Burkina Faso.

A pattern appears. Burkina Faso first achieves and defends national independence and then pursues development and social justice. A similar two-stage process played out as Cuba, China, Vietnam, Laos, and North Korea made their socialist revolutions with communist parties. The sequence looks to be characteristic of social change in the Global South, to which these nations are assigned. (North Korea’s climate does not fit, but other features suggest an affinity).

After all, in the industrialized countries, principally Russia and the Eastern European countries, independent nationhood had existed so long as to not impinge on struggles for socialism. Those revolutions did not survive. Maybe the two-stage process, with the insertion of an independence struggle, improves chances that a socialist revolution will last, and maybe even that it happens in the first place.

Developments in Burkina Faso of course are far removed from advance toward a socialist society. But that kind of progression, quite improbable in Burkina Faso, surely registers with the imperialist powers watching over the country and will influence their course of action.

W.T. Whitney Jr. is a retired pediatrician and political journalist living in Maine.

 

https://www.counterpunch.org/2025/05/28/burkina-fasos-government-of-change-confronts-imperialism/