Solidarity with Burkina Faso: A Call to Action Against Imperialism

The article discusses the escalating threats against Burkina Faso from U.S. imperialism. It highlights unsubstantiated accusations against President Ibrahim Traoré by AFRICOM, aiming to undermine the country’s progress towards self-determination. The Black Alliance for Peace and the U.S. Out of Africa Network urge global anti-imperialist actions to defend Burkina Faso and prevent the historical mistakes witnessed in Libya.

In a rallying cry for solidarity, the Black Alliance for Peace’s Africa Team and the U.S. Out of Africa Network expressed that now is a critical moment for anti-imperialists globally to support Burkina Faso. Recently, U.S. AFRICOM Commander Michael Langley made claims during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, alleging that Burkina Faso’s interim President Ibrahim Traoré is misusing the nation’s gold resources to secure protection—an assertion made without evidence and lacking any specifics regarding these supposed arrangements.

This pattern of accusations highlights the tactics of imperialist forces, which often start by vilifying leaders as a precursor to potential intervention. Ernesto Yeboah, the Commander-in-Chief of the Economic Fighters League of Ghana, responded to this situation, emphasizing that the discourse is not simply a contest of military might versus civilian governance, but rather a stark conflict between imperialism and liberation. “This is about Africans standing up—finally—and saying: Hands off Africa,” he stated.

Amid continued threats against Burkina Faso, the BAP Africa Team and USOAN have called for unified defense efforts. They urge all global anti-imperialist factions, particularly those within the Black community, to raise awareness and reject these hostile maneuvers. They emphasize the importance of learning from the past, recalling the failure of Black anti-imperialist groups to counteract the oppressive strategies that led to the devastation of Libya in 2011, stating that such mistakes must not recur.

According to BAP, the silence of key organizations like ECOWAS, the African Union, and the Congressional Black Caucus must be brought to light during this pivotal time in Africa’s struggle against imperialism. The emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States and the determined efforts of Burkina Faso under President Traoré signify a crucial advance for Pan-Africanism, posing a direct threat to U.S. and NATO interests eager to stifle African self-determination.

Under Traoré’s guidance, Burkina Faso has made strides toward achieving food sovereignty, has initiated the establishment of a national gold refinery, and is actively reclaiming its resources for its people. The vague allegations from AFRICOM appear designed to disrupt these significant achievements and sow discord. When U.S. officials reference “strategic interests,” it typically pertains to maintaining unchecked access to Africa’s wealth, labor exploitation, and market control without the consent of its populace.

As BAP and USOAN rally for defense, they call for the expulsion of AFRICOM from Africa and demand that no nation faces the tragic fate that befell Libya. The urgency of the situation is clear: it is imperative to stand in active support of Burkina Faso and to resist imperialist designs against African nations.

The situation in Burkina Faso underscores a crucial moment in the anti-imperialist struggle in Africa. As claims from U.S. officials threaten the country’s sovereignty, the call for solidarity resonates among anti-imperialist forces globally. With Burkina Faso taking significant steps toward self-determination, it is essential for activists to unite and demand an end to imperialist incursions, ensuring the lessons of history are not forgotten. It is indeed time to act.

Original Source: mronline.org