THOUSANDS of Burkinabe citizens filled the streets of Ouagadougou on Wednesday in a mass demonstration in support of the country’s ruling junta, just days after military authorities claimed they had foiled a plot to topple the government.
The rally, held at a central square in the capital, featured a sea of Burkinabe and Russian flags, along with massive posters of junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore. Supporters chanted slogans denouncing foreign interference, accusing imperialist powers and their allies of attempting to destabilise the West African nation.
Placards held by demonstrators read: ‘Down with imperialism and its local lackeys’ and ‘Full support for President Ibrahim Traore and the people of Burkina Faso’.
The demonstration was convened by the National Coordination of the Civilian Vigil (CNAVC), a coalition of pro-junta civil society organisations. Addressing the crowd, a CNAVC spokesperson declared: ‘We, peoples who love justice and sovereignty, affirm our unwavering solidarity with the heroic struggle of the Burkinabe people for their emancipation.’
Junta claims foreign-backed coup attempt
The show of support follows a dramatic announcement by Burkina Faso’s military government on April 21, in which it alleged the discovery of a plot to overthrow the junta. Authorities claimed the scheme was orchestrated by elements in neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire, leading to the arrest of several senior army officers.
While the junta did not provide full details of the alleged plot, the accusations have heightened tensions between Ouagadougou and Abidjan. Captain Traore has repeatedly accused Cote d’Ivoire of harbouring political dissidents—a claim the Ivorian government firmly denies.
The alleged coup attempt is the latest in a string of regional security threats that have engulfed the Sahel, where Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali have battled jihadist violence linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State for over a decade.
Alliance of Sahel States grows stronger
In response to growing insecurity and frustration with international partners, Burkina Faso, along with fellow military-led neighbours Mali and Niger, quit the West African bloc ECOWAS in early 2025. The three countries accused the regional body of serving the interests of France, their former colonial ruler.
Instead, they have deepened ties under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a grouping initially formed in 2023 as a mutual defence pact. The AES now aims for broader political and economic integration, with its member states increasingly pivoting toward new global allies—chiefly Russia.
Wednesday’s rally underscored that pivot, with demonstrators openly waving Russian flags and chanting slogans in support of what they view as an alternative to Western influence.
Traore strengthens domestic support
Captain Ibrahim Traore came to power in a military coup in September 2022, pledging to restore security and national pride. Since then, he has positioned himself as a defender of sovereignty against external meddling, increasingly appealing to nationalist and pan-African sentiments.
Wednesday’s rally was among the largest displays of public support since his takeover. Analysts say it is also a calculated show of strength amid both internal military tension and worsening diplomatic relations with regional powers.
‘These rallies are as much about consolidating power at home as they are about sending a message abroad,’ one West African analyst told AFP. ‘Traore wants it known that he is not isolated—and that he has the backing of a significant portion of the population.’
Regional stability in question
The public show of support for the junta and rising anti-French sentiment raise concerns about further fragmentation in regional diplomacy. ECOWAS, which once played a key role in peacekeeping and mediation, has struggled to maintain influence since the departure of the three Sahel countries.
Meanwhile, Moscow has stepped up military cooperation and diplomatic overtures, filling the vacuum left by Paris and Washington.
With Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger all ruled by military juntas and facing intensifying insurgencies, the path forward remains uncertain. But in Ouagadougou, at least, the message from Wednesday’s rally was unambiguous: for now, the people behind the junta are rallying loudly—and looking eastward.
