Burkina Faso, the country known for its legendary leader, Thomas Sankara, has found itself in armed conflict. Recently, Burkina Faso’s military leaders reported that there was a failed coup attempt in the nation. Along with this, there have been general armed conflicts that have been destabilizing not only Burkina Faso but many West African nations in general.
West Africa
“One of a growing number of West African countries where the military has seized power, army officers in Burkina Faso have taken control amid public discontent as armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) have launched a rebellion that has destabilized the country and its neighbors in West Africa’s Sahel region,” according to Aljazeera. Unfortunately, as a consequence of the violence, there have been citizens who have been displaced from their homes.
Diplomatic Mitigation
However, both the people of Burkina Faso and the nations nearby are doing what they can to mitigate this issue. According to the Aljazeera article, over 192,000 people were able to return to their homes. Burkina Faso’s history comes to a head as once again military rule leads to resistance in the nation. Originally, Burkina Faso’s creation story is led by military figures and resistance. The military leaders of yesteryear were feminists and environmentalists. However, the military leaders today seem pale in comparison. Burkina Faso’s people are ultimately who decide the fate of the nation. It is up to the people of Burkina Faso to liberate themselves by any means necessary.
Stability and Peace
As proven by Burkina Faso’s history, military leadership doesn’t have to be a bad thing. However, it must come along with general stability in the nation. It must come with agrarian reforms and wealth redistribution. Military rule allows for more state power, however, if that state power is not put to good use then it is essentially useless, or worse, counterproductive. However, one could say that they are afraid of having their nation invaded by the imperial powers like Thomas Sankara was before them. The goal then, should be general stability.
Stability is what many nations in the region are striving for. A lack of violence, an abundance of peace, and complete access to their own resources seem to be major goals as well. However, many nations in Africa are debt-trapped by the International Monetary Fund, and or still owe imperial nations like France. As a consequence, they can’t pay for social services like healthcare. A lack of social services leads to wealth inequality issues. With wealth inequality issues comes violence, as violence is the language of the silenced.
A New Hope
Lastly, Burkina Faso is a nation under military rule, and for the country, that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It needs no aid from imperial powers, but rather solidarity from its fellow West African nations. The people of Burkina Faso are completely in control of their own destiny. All that is required is to build community with one another and to fight for change by any means necessary. It is right to rebel because all anyone has to lose are their chains.
Written by Kenneth Mazerat
Sources
Aljazeera: Burkina Faso’s military rulers say coup attempt foiled, plotters arrested
Britannica: Thomas Sankara by Carina Ray
The Collector: Thomas Sankara: The Revolutionary Icon of Burkina Faso by Greg Beyer
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Steve Evans’ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
First Inset Image Courtesy of Rita Willaert’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
