In a recent flag-raising ceremony at Koulouba Palace, Burkina Faso’s President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, asserted that the nation is undergoing a “popular, progressive revolution” rather than functioning under a democratic system. He voiced doubts about democracy’s role in fostering national development, arguing that it is hard to find any country that has achieved progress through democratic governance.
Traoré stated, “We are not in a democracy; we are in a popular, progressive revolution. We must undergo a revolution, and we are indeed in the process of doing so. The concepts of democracy or free expression hold no significance. While people may feel free to speak and act, such freedoms only create disorder within society.”
The president also rejected the notion that democracy is a prerequisite for development, calling it “false” to claim that any nation has prospered under democratic rule. “It is impossible to name a country that has developed through democracy. Democracy is merely a consequence,” he remarked.
Traoré assured that his administration would continue to educate the public about the true nature of their ongoing revolution. Since assuming power through a coup in September 2022, the 37-year-old leader has made several bold decisions. Most recently, he turned down Saudi Arabia’s offer to fund the construction of 200 mosques in Burkina Faso, instead advocating for investments in vital infrastructure projects that would directly benefit the population.
This statement underscores Traoré’s unique approach to governance, where revolutionary principles take precedence over traditional democratic frameworks.
