U.S. Accuses Traoré of Using Gold for Protection—Raises Questions on Sovereignty

 In a striking revelation before the U.S. Senate, General Michael Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), accused Captain Ibrahim Traoré of channeling Burkina Faso’s gold reserves for personal protection—rather than for the well-being of the nation. The claim has sparked a wave of questions and renewed scrutiny over Western intentions in Africa.

But one question stands above the rest: Who truly owns Burkina Faso’s gold—and who gets to decide how it’s used?

This report delves into the deeper implications of AFRICOM’s statement, revealing the often-overlooked complexities of foreign influence on the continent. It explores the broader narrative of Western involvement in African affairs, and reaffirms the fundamental right of sovereign African nations to steward their own resources—on their own terms.