Traoré the new lodestar to a better Africa

It is heartening to see and read about the ordinary African’s unequivocal support for Capt Ibrahim Traoré, the president of Burkina Faso, in West Africa.

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The outpouring of pro-Traoré sentiment, especially on media platforms, on the continent and the diaspora bears testimony that people have had enough of the exploitation Africa has endured for what seems like an eternity.

Traoré came to power in a military coup in 2022 and has, in a very short span of time, proved to be the kind of revolutionary Africa so desperately needs.

He kicked out the French military from Burkina Faso, nationalised mines for the benefit of his people, the Burkinabe. And this is not just the usual hot air spewed by Africa's rulers.

He has turned the impoverished, yet mineral-rich country into a construction site, building new roads and other infrastructure. The president also seeks to industrialise the country, and started off by building a refinery that ensures that Burkina Faso does not export raw gold to the West, particularly former colonial master, France.