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Ar Ibrahim Traoré - The Geologist who became a Brave Soldier
This gripping biographical article, the first of a seven-part series, explores Ibrahim Traoré's rise from the dusty fields of his childhood in Bondokuy, western Burkina Faso to the Université de Ouagadougou where his marxist ideology took shape and to battlefields in the country's northern region where his fierce courage took root
In the flickering glow of a single lamp, a young Ibrahim Traoré sat in his parents' modest home in Kéra, Bondokuy in Burkina Faso’s agricultural west. His father was a nurse while his mother was a housewife. His two brothers Inoussa and Kassoum were close to him then and are still close now.
The quiet night air carried the murmurs of wind and the distant hum of life beyond the village’s borders, yet the silence was punctuated by an unspoken weight that Traoré would one day come to bear for his entire nation.
Born on March 14, 1988, in a small corner of Mouhoun Province, Burkina Faso, Traoré seemed destined for anything but the presidency. Growing up, those around him saw a boy with quiet determination and a sharp mind, but few could have imagined the path he would walk. Traoré's early years were spent in the embrace of his family and the rural rhythms of his community in western Burkina Fasto, where tradition mingled with the ever-present challenges of life in one of the world’s poorest countries. From an early age, Ibrahim knew that Burkina Faso, the land of upright men, demanded much from its sons. He watched his father tend to sick people every day as his mother took care of them.
At school in Bobo-Dioulasso, the second-largest city in Burkina Faso, Traoré was known for his intelligence and reticence. It was there, among the throngs of students who crowded classrooms and played soccer on dusty fields that Traoré’s resolve began to harden. He excelled in his studies, particularly in the sciences, leading him to pursue geology at the Université de Ouagadougou (University of Ouagadougou) in the mid-2000s. But it wasn’t just rocks and minerals that captured Traoré’s attention. Beneath his quiet demeanor lay a fervent dedication to the betterment of his country.
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Introduction to Marxist Ideology
While at university, Traoré became active in student politics, aligning with the Marxist Association Nationale des Étudiants du Burkina (ANEB), a group deeply committed to defending the rights of students and, by extension, the nation’s oppressed masses.
His introduction to Marxist ideology during this period profoundly shaped his worldview. He embraced Marxism’s critique of class struggle and inequality, recognizing the sharp divide between the country’s elite and the working poor. Traoré internalized the idea that the state should serve the people, not just the privileged few, and that true liberation could only come through the empowerment of Burkina Faso’s underclass. This belief became a cornerstone of his political philosophy, driving his focus on national self-reliance and policies that prioritize the needs of the country’s poor.
Traoré’s Marxist leanings also fostered a deep-seated suspicion of Western influence, which he viewed as a modern form of imperialism. Marxism’s critique of capitalism and foreign exploitation resonated with him, particularly in the context of Burkina Faso’s post-colonial struggles. For Traoré, the West – especially former colonial powers like France – represented the same forces that had historically exploited African nations and continued to meddle in their internal affairs. He became a vocal proponent of Pan-Africanism, advocating for Burkina Faso and the continent at large to reject dependency on Western powers and to instead forge independent paths rooted in self-sufficiency and regional solidarity. Traoré’s political ideology is deeply influenced by these Marxist principles, which underpin his calls for economic justice, sovereignty, and a government truly accountable to the people.
“Geology taught me about the earth,” he would later reflect, “but my true education was learning about the people who walk on it – about their struggles, their dreams, and the forces that try to keep them down.” These are the people that he remains fiercely committed to. They are his Northern Star.
Click here to read part 2 of this Ibrahim Traore Series
Ibrahim Traore presides over military passout at Georges Namoano Military Academy
The Birth of a Courageous Soldier
In 2009, with a degree in hand and a burning desire to serve his country, Traoré joined the Burkinabè army. This decision wasn’t driven by the desire for glory or personal gain; rather, it stemmed from a profound sense of duty. He believed that through military service, he could contribute to something greater than himself, and protect the country that had given him so much.
The army offered Traoré a new education steeped in discipline, sacrifice, and leadership. He trained at Académie militaire Georges Namoano (Georges-Namoano Military Academy) in Pô, a city locate in Southern Burkina Faso. After completing his training, he was deployed to Kaya in northern Burkina Faso, a region that later suffered greatly from the jihadist insurgency. At this time, the country was still under the iron grip of Blaise Compaoré, the man who had overseen the assassination of Thomas Sankara – a betrayal that had haunted Burkina Faso for decades. Traoré was just one more soldier, indistinguishable in a sea of khaki and boots. He was a lowly recruit, standing at the bottom rung of the military hierarchy, his uniform crisp but his rank barely noticeable.
But his fellow soldiers at the time already sensed his authoritative presence. He towered over six feet, with an intensity in his eyes that hinted at something beyond the ordinary. His posture was straight, his steps measured – traits that didn’t go unnoticed by his superiors. There was something about him, something more than the sharp creases in his uniform or the precision with which he performed his drills. His intellect was as sharp as his discipline, and it wasn’t long before the higher-ups decided to test him. Morocco was the next stop, a place where he’d be trained in anti-aircraft warfare. A lesson in how to knock things out of the sky before they could destroy what lay beneath. Click here to read part 3 of this Ibrahim Traore Series
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I seek to awaken and empower Africa through knowledge. If you would like to invest in my work, you can do so through:
Paypal: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mobile money transfer number through Worldremit or MPESA: +254795591751
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