By Burnett Munthali

In a bold and impassioned televised address, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the leader of Burkina Faso’s transitional government, made it unmistakably clear that the country is not operating under a traditional democratic system.

He declared to the nation, “We are not in a democracy, we are in a revolution.”

This powerful statement underscored a deeper ideological shift in the West African nation, where Traoré has consistently championed a new political and social order.

He continued with a resolute tone, emphasizing, “If we have to say it loud and clear here, we are not in a democracy, we are in a popular, progressive revolution.”

The phrase “popular, progressive revolution” signals a deliberate break from the Western-backed models of governance often associated with post-colonial African states.

Captain Traoré urged all citizens to grasp this message, asserting, “Everyone needs to understand this.”

He expressed concern that even those considered intellectuals seem to misunderstand or resist this fundamental transformation.

“It’s even more surprising that those who are supposed to be intellectuals, who have been to school, can imagine that a country can develop in democracy,” he said with a tone of disbelief.

Traoré did not hold back as he challenged widely held beliefs about democracy and development.

He declared emphatically, “That’s false.”

To reinforce his point, he argued that no country has developed solely through democracy.

“It’s not possible to name a single country that has developed in democracy,” he proclaimed.

According to Traoré, democracy is not a starting point for development but a destination.

“Democracy is only the end result,” he explained, drawing a clear distinction between means and ends.

He went on to argue that revolution is a necessary phase before any form of true democracy can be realized.

“We must necessarily go through a revolution, and we are indeed in a revolution,” he stated firmly.

For those who still seem confused or skeptical about this stance, Captain Traoré had a stern message.

“For those who haven’t yet understood this, we’re still saying it loud and clear,” he reiterated.

As part of this ideological shift, the leader affirmed the government’s commitment to continue engaging with the public to foster greater understanding.

“We will continue to play our role of communicating, explaining, and making people understand what our revolution is,” he promised.

In a pointed critique of Western notions of absolute freedom, Traoré challenged the concept of unrestrained liberty often tied to democracy.

“So this question of democracy or libertinism of action or expression has no place,” he said.

He acknowledged that while people may believe they are free to speak and act, such freedom must come with responsibility and balance.

“As much as you think you are free to speak and act, the other is also free to speak and act,” he said, highlighting the dangers of unchecked freedoms.

In his view, such a model leads to societal breakdown.

“And there we end up with a society of disorder,” he concluded, warning against the chaos that unregulated freedoms could bring.

Captain Traoré’s words mark a pivotal moment in Burkina Faso’s political discourse and have sparked debate across the continent and beyond.

His revolutionary rhetoric challenges traditional narratives about governance in Africa and signals a vision that seeks to forge a unique path for national development.

Whether one agrees or disagrees with his message, it is clear that the Burkinabè leader is determined to reshape his country’s future on his own terms.