The Economic Fighters League (EFL), a Ghanaian Pan-Africanist movement, has praised Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s leadership in Burkina Faso, characterizing his actions as a revolutionary break from colonial economic structures.
Amodani Gariba, EFL’s Commander for Political Education, emphasized that Traoré’s leadership signifies more than just a coup; it represents a profound transformation toward economic sovereignty.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View on Monday, May 19, he drew parallels between Burkina Faso’s current trajectory and the early post-independence optimism of the 1950s and 1960s, a period marked by African leaders’ aspirations for self-determination and economic independence.
“We like to think about what is happening in Burkina Faso under Captain Ibrahim Traoré as a revolution. It is not just a mere coup; it is a revolution that is ongoing, and in the classic Nkrumahist analysis, we consider Burkina Faso a contested zone,” Gariba stated.
He noted that under Traoré, Burkina Faso is transitioning from being an “enemy-held zone”—where economic decisions are dictated by external powers—to a nation reclaiming control over its resources and economic policies.
“We see him trying to rewrite the rules of economic relations between his country and France, another imperialist power,” Gariba remarked. He highlighted Traoré’s efforts to nationalize key industries, such as gold mining, and invest in local processing capabilities as crucial steps toward reducing dependency on foreign entities.
Gariba expressed optimism, stating, “To us, this is refreshing because, historically, Burkina Faso had to sign a pact with France that ceded much economic power for 60 years. We are witnessing a break from this pattern. Moreover, we see him nationalizing mines and pushing for industrialization—all in line with our goal of Economic Freedom for Africa. We believe his actions will ultimately contribute to the economic freedom of Burkina Faso.”
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