He MUST Apologize! Capt. Ibrahim Traoré Finally Responds To U.S. General Langley | HO

In a forceful and emotional interview broadcast from Russia, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the young and charismatic leader of Burkina Faso, has delivered a scathing response to U.S. General Michael Langley’s recent remarks before the U.S. Senate. Traoré’s words, which have rapidly spread across African social media and pan-African news outlets, are more than a defense of his country’s sovereignty—they are a rallying cry for African dignity, unity, and the right to self-determination.

The Spark: General Langley’s Remarks

It all began when General Langley, the head of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), commented before the U.S. Senate on Burkina Faso’s gold reserves and its new partnerships—particularly with Russia. Langley suggested that Burkina Faso was using its gold to secure protection, implying that the nation’s resources were being leveraged in ways that might threaten Western interests or regional stability.

These comments, made in a public and influential forum, struck a nerve not only with the Burkinabè government but with many Africans who are increasingly wary of Western interference and narratives that undermine African agency.

“It’s Burkina Faso’s Gold—Not His!”

Traoré’s response was swift and uncompromising. “First of all, it’s Burkina Faso’s gold. It’s not his gold. What business is it of his? It doesn’t concern him!” Traoré declared, visibly frustrated. He went further, accusing Langley of outright falsehoods: “He lied because Burkina Faso never had gold reserves until we arrived. We are the ones who started reserving gold in the treasury. Otherwise, there wasn’t a single gram of gold reserve in Burkina Faso. That means he’s a liar—again.”

For Traoré, the issue is not just about facts or resources but about respect and sovereignty. “We are free to establish relations with whomever we want. That’s independence. They can think what they want; we will go where we want, provided the partnership is mutually beneficial,” he insisted.

The Pain of Manipulation—A Black Man Against Black People

What hurt Traoré most was not the criticism itself, but who delivered it. “It hurts a lot to see that they use a black man to fight a black man,” Traoré lamented. “The black race must not be used to fight black people. Every time, it’s the same thing. We deplore it, and it hurt us a lot to see that it was a black man who made these remarks.”

He drew parallels with history and popular culture, recalling how black figures have often been cast as villains in American movies and, more tragically, in real-life geopolitics. “Why must black people continue to play the bad role?” he asked, challenging Langley to look in the mirror and publicly retract his statements if he was misled or given false reports.

A Rallying Cry for Pan-Africanism

For Traoré, the episode is about much more than gold or military partnerships. It’s about Africa’s right to define its own future. “We are no longer in the era of diplomatic hypocrisy—saying things loudly, then apologizing quietly. If you say it publicly, you must rectify it publicly,” he asserted.

He called on African youth, both on the continent and in the diaspora, to recognize and reject manipulation. “African youth have understood. Black youth all over the world have understood. This manipulation no longer works.”

Achievements Under Siege

Traoré took the opportunity to highlight his government’s achievements since coming to power. “Look at the socioeconomic development of Burkina Faso. We are building health centers, equipping them, lowering the costs of medical examinations. We are plowing farmers’ fields for free, increasing production. Our army has never had so many personnel and equipment. We have created more jobs and begun industrialization in ways no previous regime has achieved.”

He suggested that these successes might be the real reason for Western discomfort. “Maybe that’s what hurts them, what they want to stop, so they invent lies.”

On the Burden of Leadership and the New Pan-Africanism

At just 37 years old, Traoré is acutely aware of the weight of expectation on his shoulders. “Age is not important, but it is pressure. If I used to sleep two hours, I now sleep one. If I shouldn’t sleep, I don’t sleep at all. The youth see something in what we’re doing that can allow Africa to get out of this situation. That motivates us to continue the fight.”

He invoked the legacy of Thomas Sankara, Burkina Faso’s legendary revolutionary leader, and vowed not to betray the pan-African struggle. “Africa has suffered a lot. It’s time to finish the work and develop. Just as Africans go elsewhere to see development, Africa can achieve that. It’s possible.”

Rising Demand for Sovereignty Across Africa

Traoré’s words resonate across a continent where more and more nations are demanding the withdrawal of Western troops and asserting their sovereignty. “We were at war. We lived with Western troops and saw that their presence didn’t fit with our struggle—it amplified the phenomenon,” he said, referencing the ongoing fight against terrorism in the region.

He explained that foreign military presence often undermined local armies, stifling recruitment and modernization. “Even in the 1980s under Sankara, we were better equipped than 10 or 20 years later. When terrorism arrived, we had no army. Now, in the midst of war, we are creating an army. Sovereignty begins with the army. Once you have a strong army, all other aspects can develop.”

A Call to the World: Respect African Choices

As the interview closed, Traoré reiterated his message to Washington and the world: “We are free to choose our partners. We are building a new Burkina Faso, and we will continue to develop—no matter the lies or attempts to destabilize us.”

He demanded a public apology from General Langley for his “vile and unfounded” remarks, insisting that only a public retraction could begin to repair the damage done. For Traoré, this is about more than pride—it is about justice, dignity, and the right of Africans to write their own story.

In his words and actions, Captain Ibrahim Traoré is not just defending Burkina Faso. He is challenging the entire African continent—and the world—to recognize that a new era has begun. Africa will no longer be defined by outsiders. Its future belongs to its people. And for those who still doubt, Traoré’s message is clear: “We will stand, we will fight, and we will win.”