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“I’ll Take You Down Without a Second Thought“ — Traore Declares Himself Burkina Faso’s Sole Leader, Warns Rivals
“I’ll Take You Down Without a Second Thought“ — Traore Declares Himself Burkina Faso’s Sole Leader, Warns Rivals
Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, has moved to quell growing speculation over an alleged power struggle within the country’s ruling junta, declaring that he remains the only leader of the West African nation and warning that anyone who challenges his authority will face swift consequences.
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The comments came amid increasing rumours of divisions within the military government, which seized power in a coup in September 2022. The speculation has been fueled by the prolonged absence from public view of two of the junta’s most influential figures, Oumarou Yabre and Farouk Azaria Sorgho.
Speaking to community leaders in Ouahigouya, northern Burkina Faso, on Thursday, Traore dismissed suggestions of competing centres of power within his administration.
“There can’t be two captains on one ship,“ the 38-year-old military ruler declared, emphasizing that his government would not tolerate internal rivalry.
He further warned those serving under him that loyalty and discipline remained non-negotiable.
“Everyone who works with me knows how I operate,“ Traore said.
“If anyone screws up, I’ll take you down without a second thought. There are no strongmen around me,“ he threatened.
Much of the speculation surrounding internal tensions has centered on Oumarou Yabre, widely regarded as Burkina Faso’s second-in-command.
Yabre, who heads the country’s intelligence services and chairs the National Security Council, has not been seen in public since late May, raising questions about his status within the government.
Reports of disagreements between Traore and Yabre are not new. Several observers had pointed to apparent tensions between the two as early as 2023, although both men publicly denied any rift at the time.
According to a security official who spoke anonymously to AFP, Yabre has stopped reporting to his office at the National Intelligence Agency, while the security personnel assigned to protect his residence have reportedly been significantly reduced.
Another security official noted that “He didn’t appear at the traditional flag-raising ceremony at the presidency, which he usually attends, or at the recent ceremony at the presidential palace to promote three senior officers to general.“
Adding to the intrigue, individuals believed to be close to Yabre have reportedly been arrested or abducted.
Among them is Islamic preacher Ishaq Kindo, who had criticized a proposed bill regulating religious freedoms.
Referring to Kindo during his address, Traore stated:
“This man is fundamentally bad.“
He added, “He thought he was powerful because he created an Islamic police force in 2019.“
In another development, two officials considered close allies of Yabre were removed from their positions by presidential decree on June 17. One served as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Hydrocarbons Company, while the other was a ministerial adviser on youth affairs.
Attention has also shifted to Farouk Azaria Sorgho, another influential figure within the junta.
Sorgho, who serves as the regime’s spokesman and commands the powerful Rapid Intervention Battalion No. 4 based in Ouagadougou, has not appeared publicly since mid-May.
He also serves as spokesman for KORAG, a body established by Traore to develop and implement the junta’s strategic vision.
In that role, Sorgho has become a prominent figure in the government’s anti-corruption drive, publicly exposing cases of financial misconduct and overseeing disciplinary measures against officials.
However, since his disappearance from public engagements, Battalion No. 4 has reportedly been under the command of his deputy.
Security officials have alleged that Sorgho may have been “abducted” by individuals linked to Traore’s inner circle.
His father, Adama Luc Sorgho, who served as Burkina Faso’s infrastructure minister until last year, was also reportedly arrested before being “abducted” by armed men, according to members of his entourage.
As rumours of internal divisions continue to circulate, security measures in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, have intensified over the past two months.
Residents report that roads which had remained closed for several years have now been reopened to divert traffic away from the presidential palace, where security checkpoints have been significantly reinforced.
The developments have further fueled public speculation over the stability of the military leadership, even as Traore insists there is no room for rival power centres within his administration.
