Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the bold leader of Burkina Faso, has once again reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the country’s natural resources from Western exploitation, particularly from France and the United States.
In a recent statement, Captain Traoré declared that Burkina Faso will no longer allow foreign powers to tamper with its gold reserves. Instead, the country will take full control of its gold mining sector to benefit its citizens, not foreign interests.
As part of this bold move, the government has built a state-owned gold refinery to process gold locally, eliminating the need to export the mineral for refinement in the West.
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Nationalization of Gold Mines
Under Traoré’s leadership, Burkina Faso has taken strategic steps to reclaim control over its natural wealth. The government recently nationalized several gold mines at a cost of approximately $80 million. Notably, two major gold sites — the Boungou and Wahgnion mines — which were previously owned by the UK-listed Endeavour Mining, were sold to Lilium Mining in a deal worth $300 million last year.
Interestingly, the government acquired these mines for a significantly lower price just months later, further asserting its mission to reclaim national assets and cut off external control.
A New Era of Economic Independence
Burkina Faso is rich in mineral resources, especially gold, and the new direction aims to ensure that this wealth stays within the country to develop its economy and uplift its people. Captain Traoré’s leadership has been marked by a growing push for African self-reliance and a rejection of neocolonial influence.
This move is part of a larger trend of African leaders demanding greater control over their resources and striving to break away from decades of dependency on Western powers.
Captain Ibrahim Traoré continues to make waves across the continent as a symbol of resistance against foreign interference and a champion of Africa’s right to self-determination.
