The left-leaning South African political party known as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has vehemently denied recent accusations made by the U.S. Senate against Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the president of Burkina Faso.
The EFF has categorically denied the U.S. Senate’s charge that Traoré diverted Burkina Faso’s gold stockpiles for his own personal protection rather than for the benefit of his people during a hearing led by a representative of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
This allegation has been condemned by the EFF as a clear imperialist ploy to topple an independent African state that is claiming sovereignty over its natural resources.
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In a statement issued via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the EFF stated: “We condemn the West’s continued interference in African nations’ affairs and their attempts to control our resources. The EFF supports Captain Traoré’s efforts to reclaim Burkina Faso’s gold for the benefit of its people and to resist neo-colonial pressures.”
The EFF described the U.S. allegations as part of a broader pattern of Western meddling in African governance, warning that such narratives are designed to delegitimize leaders who reject foreign domination.
Reaffirming its support for Traoré, the party praised his commitment to redirecting national gold revenues toward security and development goals.
The EFF emphasized that African countries must maintain the sovereign right to determine how their resources are utilized without external interference.
US AFRICOM’s statement on Burkina Faso
During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on April 3, 2025, General Michael Langley, Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), delivered the Command’s 2025 posture statement, emphasizing the strategic importance of the African continent to U.S. national security.
While responding to a question from Senator Roger Wicker about corruption and bribery linked to trade with China, General Langley alleged that Burkina Faso’s mineral revenues, along with some financial flows from Chinese cooperation, were being used to sustain the ruling military regime, rather than benefiting the Burkinabè population.
“Absolutely, Chairman. I see this, and I don’t mind calling it out,” Langley said. “Captain [Ibrahim] Traoré in Burkina Faso… their gold reserves are just in exchange to protect the junta regime.”
Addressing broader concerns about Chinese and Russian influence in Africa, Langley stated that the Chinese Communist Party is seeking to use the continent as a platform to expand its global dominance, while Russia exploits instability and chaos to extend its reach.
“In order to protect our homeland and United States interests, we must deter these nations and their malign actors from their goals on the African continent,” he said
