Ibrahim Traoré's Cyber Cult and Narrative Control in Burkina Faso

• •Ibrahim Traoré's junta uses digital propaganda to control narratives in Burkina Faso.
• •Claims of success against insurgents are part of a broader strategy to legitimize military rule.
• •The junta's campaigns target both local and global audiences, promoting anti-Western sentiments.

Since seizing power in September 2022, Captain Ibrahim Traoré's military junta has utilized a high-volume information campaign to shape the narrative around his leadership in Burkina Faso. This campaign, supported by online influencers and Russian advisors, aims to portray Traoré as a transformative leader akin to Thomas Sankara. Despite claims of territorial reclamation from militant insurgents and economic innovation, the country faces deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions. The junta's propaganda efforts extend beyond Burkina Faso, targeting audiences in West Africa and the African diaspora. Traoré's regime has been accused of crimes against humanity and has suspended the constitution, raising concerns about the erosion of democratic principles. The junta's narrative is infused with anti-Western sentiments, particularly against France and ECOWAS, as it seeks to legitimize military rule. The effectiveness of this cyber cult of personality raises questions about the reconciliation of Traoré's public image with the realities on the ground.