Ibrahim Traoré

Ibrahim Traoré is a Burkinabè military officer who became transitional president after leading a coup in September 2022. His rule has centered on security, national sovereignty, and a postponed return to civilian government.

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Burkinabè coup d'état of September 2022: A military coup on 30 September 2022 that removed Burkina Faso's transitional leader Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. Traoré led this coup and became the country's transitional president.
Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration: The military junta that has governed Burkina Faso since the January 2022 coup. Traoré heads the junta directing the transition.
Mahamadou Issoufou: A Nigerien politician who served as president of Niger from 2011 to 2021. As ECOWAS mediator, he engaged with Burkina Faso's military transition.
Economic Community of West African States: A West African regional organization promoting economic integration and political cooperation among member states. ECOWAS imposed sanctions and pressed Traoré's government to restore civilian rule.
Burkinabè coup d'état of January 2022: A military coup that overthrew President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré and installed Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. Its failure to halt jihadist expansion helped set the stage for Traoré's takeover.
Burkina Faso military: The armed forces responsible for defending Burkina Faso and conducting military operations within its borders. Traoré's authority rests on his military position and support within the armed forces.
Yevgueni Prigozhin: A Russian businessman and head of the Wagner Group who died in 2023. His public praise for Traoré signaled interest in the junta's turn toward Russia.
Alliance of Sahel States: A confederation founded by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger after their military governments broke with ECOWAS. Traoré helped lead Burkina Faso into a new regional bloc with neighboring juntas.
Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba: A Burkinabè military officer who led the January 2022 coup and served as transitional president until September. Damiba was the transitional leader Traoré displaced.
Burkina Faso insurgency: An armed conflict in Burkina Faso involving jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The government's security campaign and political legitimacy are shaped by this conflict.