By Dylan Bettencourt
- Captain Ibrahim Traoré is one of the world’s youngest leaders and a rising star in Africa.
- He took over in a coup, kicked out foreign troops, and handed gold mines to Russian allies.
Captain Ibrahim Traoré took power with a gun, and now people across Africa are calling him a hero.
The 36-year-old from Burkina Faso is one of the youngest leaders in the world. Since taking over in a coup in 2022, he’s become famous for standing up to Western powers and fighting for African control.
Young people across Africa love him for kicking out foreign soldiers and working with Russia instead.
Traoré became the leader after blaming the former president for failing to stop terrorist attacks. Once in charge, he pushed out French troops and said his country would handle its own security.
He then made deals with Russia, not just for weapons, but also for gold.
In April 2025, Traoré gave a new gold mining licence to Russian company Nordgold. The deal is expected to bring in over R1.7-billion.
He also took control of two big gold mines from a British company. His government now runs a state-owned mining company and is working on new laws to limit foreign control of resources.
Some people say he’s just grabbing power. In 2024, five deadly terrorist attacks hit Burkina Faso. Traoré blames the foreign soldiers who were there before him and says his new plans will work.
At Ghana’s presidential inauguration in January, he stole the show. He arrived with a pistol on his hip, and social media went wild.
When a top US general accused him of using the country’s gold “to shield himself”, Traoré’s supporters were furious. Thousands filled the streets in Ouagadougou, waving Russian and Burkinabè flags and chanting, “Long live Captain Traoré!”
Some held signs calling the general a “slave”.
Traoré even became a hit in Russia when he visited there. He was welcomed like a star.
Now there are rumours of foreign plans to remove him. But many young Africans see him as more than just a president — they see him as the start of something bigger.
Pictured above: Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
Image source: @AfricanHub_
