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Burkina Faso’s transitional President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has issued a sharp rebuke of Western media, accusing it of manipulating global narratives—particularly those targeting African youth.
In an exclusive interview with RT, Traoré described one of his biggest regrets as “growing up listening to French radio stations.” He said such content influenced his worldview in ways he now sees as misleading and contrary to African realities.
“I deeply regret consuming so much Western media as a child,” Traoré told the Russian outlet. “It conditioned how I saw my people, my country, and our potential. It’s only now that I understand how much these platforms distort truth.”
The 36-year-old leader, who came to power in a coup in 2022 and has since positioned himself as a pan-Africanist figure, suggested that Western outlets often serve as tools for geopolitical influence rather than neutral sources of information.
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Traoré praised RT for offering what he called “an alternative perspective” and emphasized the role such media can play in what he termed the “awakening of African consciousness.”
“RT can play a big part in opening the eyes of young people,” he stated. “Our youth need media that speaks to them truthfully, not through the lens of foreign interests.”
This statement comes as Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, continues to realign away from traditional Western partners such as France, in favor of closer ties with Russia and other non-Western powers.
Traoré’s comments echo a broader movement among some African leaders seeking to reclaim control over narratives and reject the lingering influence of colonial-era institutions—particularly in information dissemination.
Analysts say his statements reflect growing resentment among sections of African youth and leadership toward long-standing media dominance by outlets such as Radio France Internationale (RFI) and BBC Africa, which have faced criticism for perceived bias in covering political transitions and social unrest across the continent.
As information wars intensify, particularly in regions undergoing political transformation, media literacy and sovereignty have become central themes in the broader conversation about Africa’s future.
