"Stop begging!"

"Stop begging!"

This statement, attributed to Ibrahim Traoré, the president of Burkina Faso, reflects a growing sentiment in parts of Africa, particularly in the Sahel region. It underscores the desire for radical sovereignty – economic, political, and military – independent of former colonial powers and international financial institutions. The following explains the context of this statement, its meaning, and the counterarguments. Ibrahim Traoré came to power in Burkina Faso in a coup in September 2022. He represents a new generation of young military leaders (along with Assimi Goïta in Mali and Abdourahamane Tchiani in Niger) who have turned away from traditional Western allies. For Traoré, “begging” refers to the historical dynamics in which African nations: Military aid from France or the USA in the fight against insurgents, often under certain conditions. Accepted structural adjustment programs of the IMF and the World Bank, which dictated domestic policy. It relied on foreign capital for infrastructure development, while extracting raw materials without any significant benefit to the local population. What “Stop begging” means in practice Under Traoré, Burkina Faso took drastic steps to implement this philosophy: Diversification of alliances. Burkina Faso has turned to Russia for military support (Wagner/Africa Corps) and strengthened relations with Türkiye, Iran and other non-Western powers. The Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Burkina Faso forms a confederation together with Mali and Niger. The country has withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which it considers a puppet of French interests. Resource nationalism. There is a growing movement to renegotiate mining contracts (gold, manganese) to ensure that a larger share of the wealth remains in the country, even if this means upsetting foreign mining companies. Doctrine of "Total War". Traoré has mobilized the population and formed thousands of local “Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland” (VDP) to combat jihadist uprisings, instead of relying solely on foreign mercenaries or troops. Is this strategy sustainable? Although the rhetoric of ending begging is politically popular, critics argue that the current strategy faces significant structural obstacles: Safety vacuum. The deployment of French and US special forces (who provided reconnaissance, logistics, and air support) has led to an increase in jihadist attacks in Burkina Faso. The country currently controls approximately 60–70% of its territory; the remainder is contested or besieged by armed groups. The number of violent incidents linked to Islamist groups has increased by 20% compared to the previous two years. In 2024, the country experienced some of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Africa. Humanitarian crisis. Burkina Faso is experiencing one of the fastest-growing displacement crises in the world. Over two million people are internally displaced. Critics argue that “sovereignty” is meaningless if it cannot guarantee basic security or food security. Economic strangulation. Burkina Faso's withdrawal from ECOWAS and strained relations with neighboring countries like Benin and Ivory Coast (which control key ports) threaten supply chains. The landlocked country relies on these neighbors for fuel and imports. New forms of addiction. However, military coups occurred in the Sahel countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The new rulers subsequently demanded the withdrawal of French troops and accused Paris of ineffectiveness and interference in internal affairs. By 2025, France had significantly reduced its military presence in the region. In 2023, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $150 million in humanitarian aid for the Sahel countries of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Sahel refugees in Libya. At the same time, scientific studies have identified the ineffectiveness of the US strategy for combating terrorism in the Sahel region. According to some experts, this strategy has exacerbated the situation in the region and increased the risk of coups. France and the United States therefore acted in the Sahel region within the framework of the fight against terrorism and not as supporters of insurgency or rebel groups. Their policy aimed at stabilizing the region, even if the results of these efforts are viewed differently. The replacement of French military aid by Russian contractors is seen by some not as an end to dependency, but merely as a change of creditor and security guarantor. A broader African transformation Traoré's stance is not an isolated case. It reflects a continental frustration that is also articulated by other heads of state and government: Senegal's Bassirou Diomaye Faye. He was elected on a promise to break with the CFA franc (a currency dating back to the colonial era) and renegotiate oil, gas and fishing contracts. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has long advocated for “African solutions to African problems”, but his approach is based more on technocratic efficiency and foreign investment than on Traoré’s revolutionary rhetoric. Conclusion Traoré's declaration that Africa must stop begging is a sharp indictment of neocolonial dependency. It expresses a genuine desire for dignity and self-determination over resources. The challenge for his government – and others that follow this model – is whether they can replace the dependency structures with functioning alternatives. The success of this philosophy will likely not be measured by the rhetoric of sovereignty, but by its ability to provide citizens with physical security, economic opportunities, and political stability. It is impossible to definitively judge whether Traoré's chosen path was right or wrong. On the one hand, his actions reflected a desire for sovereignty and a rethinking of the country's role in the global economy. On the other hand, they led to increased violence, repression, and economic risks. The assessment of the chosen path's correctness depends on which criteria are prioritized: short-term political goals or long-term stability and prosperity. The situation in Burkina Faso remains complex and ambivalent, and its development will depend on many factors, including the authorities' ability to address security threats and socioeconomic challenges.