The Russia-Burkina Faso Bromance: Is Military Rule The Answer for Africa?

When Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, received a hero’s welcome in Moscow at the just concluded 2025 Russia’s Victory Day parade, there were images of cheering crowds and warm embraces all over social media, in Africa. From Nigeria, to Ghana, South Africa, Kenya to mention but a few.

To many African youths, Ibrahim Traore who is popularly called “IB” represents something rare in modern African politics. He is seen as a leader who defies Western dominance, takes decisive action, and speaks the language of sovereignty. His reception in Russia was more than a diplomatic gesture, in fact, it was a symbol of Africa’s shifting allegiances and growing disillusionment with democracy as practiced under Western influence.

The Crisis of Democracy in Africa has been going on for decades. The West has presented democracy as the only legitimate path for African nations. But then, across the continent, democratic governance has often been marred with corruption, inefficiency, and neocolonial exploitation.

In Nigeria, for example, many are of the belief that the country’s most enduring infrastructures like roads, bridges, and refineries were built during military rule but that since the return to democracy in 1999, the country has struggled with systemic corruption, worsening insecurity, and a failure to deliver basic services. The question then arises, if democracy was supposed to bring development, why do so many Africans feel left behind? Why are they suddenly celebrating coup d’état if democracy has done better?

Burkina Faso under Ibrahim offers a stark contrast. In just two years, his government has made giant strides in combating jihadist threats, which is something France has failed to do despite years of its democratic presence. By expelling French troops and partnering with Russia, Ibrahim has not only improved security but also ignited a sense of national pride amongst his people and the entire African continent. His rejection of Western hypocrisy and his commitment to African self-determination is something that resonates deeply with a generation tired of empty promises.

To understand rise of African Defiance and why it unsettles the West, we must revisit Africa’s colonial past. France is one of the most brutal colonizers, which maintained control over its former colonies long after independence through economic and military dominance. The CFA franc, a colonial-era currency, still forces African nations to keep half their reserves in the French Treasury, effectively handing Paris control over their economies. French corporations dominate key sectors, while military bases ensure political compliance.

The U.S., even though they are less colonial, she has propped up dictators who serve her interests (like Mobutu in Zaire) while using institutions like the IMF and World Bank to keep Africa in eternal debt. When Africans elected leaders like Patrice Lumumba, who sought true independence, they were overthrown or assassinated. Democracy, as promoted by the West, was only acceptable if it produced zombie regimes.

Traoré’s Burkina Faso, alongside Mali, Niger, and the Central African Republic, is now challenging this system. By turning to Russia for security and China for infrastructure, these nations are asserting their right to choose their own partners. The West’s response? Accusations of “authoritarianism” and warnings about “Russian exploitation.” Yet, where was this concern when France controlled Burkina Faso’s gold mines or when the U.S. conducted drone strikes that killed civilians?

This debate is not just about military rule versus democracy. It is about governance that delivers. Traoré’s popularity stems from his ability to act decisively where democratic governments have failed. But military rule carries real risks like suppression of dissent, human rights abuses, and the lack of long-term stability. The challenge for Africa is not to romanticize authoritarianism but to demand systems that are both effective and accountable.

Or maybe, the solution lies in reimagining democracy itself, one that prioritizes African interests over foreign agendas, a total crackdown on corruption, and one that empowers leaders who genuinely serve their people. Traoré’s rise is a symptom of a deeper frustration: the failure of Western-style democracy to meet Africa’s needs.

The hero’s welcome Traoré received in Moscow is a wake-up call. Africa is no longer willing to accept Western dominance disguised as democracy. If the West wants influence, it must offer real partnership, not exploitation. I foresee more African nations following Burkina Faso’s lead, seeking alliances with countries like Russia who treat them as equals rather than subordinates.

The question is no longer “Is military rule better than democracy?” but rather:
“Why should Africa remain loyal to systems that have failed it for so long?

Daniel writes this piece from Moscow, Russia