U.S. General Michael Langley has declared America’s interest in supporting Burkina Faso’s fight against terrorism, stating, “We want to help them because if Burkina Faso wins the war against terrorism, all the foreign countries win as well.”
This bold statement comes not long after the same general publicly accused President Ibrahim Traoré of using Burkina Faso’s gold reserves for self-protection — a claim that sparked widespread criticism from Pan-African movements and pro-Traoré supporters. Now, Langley’s latest remarks suggest a significant shift in tone — and possibly in U.S. foreign policy.
Observers are divided over the sudden change. Some see it as an attempt by the U.S. to repair damaged ties and reassert influence in a region increasingly turning toward independence and new global alliances. Others suspect it’s a strategic move to counter growing Russian and Chinese involvement in West Africa, especially after Traoré and other Sahel leaders rejected Western interference in favor of sovereignty.
President Traoré, often portrayed by critics as a defiant military leader, has gained popularity across Africa for his uncompromising stance against terrorism and foreign exploitation. Langley’s words, therefore, may be viewed either as overdue recognition or political posturing.
Either way, this “bombshell” from the U.S. general marks another dramatic twist in the evolving relationship between Burkina Faso and Western powers.
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