By Nwaneri Uche
Ouagadougou, May 6, 2025, 10:45 AM WAT — Burkina Faso is at the center of a growing geopolitical storm, as Russia reportedly deploys special forces to protect President Captain Ibrahim Traoré. This development comes amid Western accusations of gold exploitation and rising tensions with neighboring Ivory Coast.
Research shows that Russia initially sent around 100 military personnel from the Russian Africa Corps to Burkina Faso in January 2024, aiming to strengthen national security and assist in counterterrorism efforts. There were plans to expand the deployment to 300 troops. However, by August 2024, 100 of these paramilitary fighters had reportedly been redeployed to Ukraine, leaving the current status in 2025 uncertain (Reuters). President Vladimir Putin’s role in the deployment is suggested by discussions held during the 2023 Russia-Africa Summit, where military cooperation with African nations was on the agenda (Al Jazeera).
Western powers, especially the United States, have criticized President Traoré for allegedly using Burkina Faso’s gold reserves to maintain the junta’s grip on power, rather than improving the lives of ordinary citizens. General Michael Langley raised these concerns during a U.S. Senate hearing in April 2025. In response, Traoré defended his government’s decision to nationalize gold mining operations, claiming it strengthens the country’s sovereignty. His stance appears to enjoy popular support, as demonstrated by mass rallies in Ouagadougou on April 30, 2025, where thousands of citizens waved Russian flags in solidarity (AP News).
Tensions escalated further in October 2024, when Traoré revoked several foreign mining licenses, a move seen by many Western nations as hostile. Rumors of a French-backed invasion through Ivory Coast have circulated, although no concrete evidence supports this claim. Nevertheless, regional instability continues to grow. A coup attempt, thwarted on April 16, 2025, reportedly involved conspirators operating from Ivory Coast, allegedly seeking to depose Traoré (BBC News). While Burkina Faso’s military leadership accuses Ivory Coast of supporting anti-government forces, Ivorian officials have yet to issue a public response.
Despite these challenges, President Traoré maintains strong domestic support, driven by growing anti-imperialist sentiment. Burkina Faso, alongside Mali and Niger, has increasingly distanced itself from France and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), turning instead to Russia for support. This strategic shift mirrors Russian military involvement in Mali and Niger, suggesting a broader realignment in the Sahel region (Al Jazeera).
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