“We Refuse to Fall in Line”: Sahel States Reject Western Puppetry

In a thunderous and emotionally charged speech at the inaugural Alliance of Sahel States (AES) summit in Niamey, Niger, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, President of Burkina Faso, delivered a powerful message of resistance, unity, and independence on behalf of the member nations—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

“They enjoy saying it every year in their economic surveys. Burkina Faso is the poorest country, Mali is the poorest country, Niger is the poorest country. We are ranked among the last… Very well, if we are as poor as they say. But when the time came to take responsibility, we asked these masters to leave. Why don’t they want to leave?” Traoré asked pointedly, challenging the hypocrisy of former colonial powers.

The president decried decades of exploitation, especially in Niger, where uranium has long been extracted to power cities abroad while the local population remains in darkness.

“From Ottawa to Paris, the streets are lit up. That’s the light. But in Niger it’s darkness that is served to us… That’s why we decided to revolt and take the destiny of our countries into our own hands.”

He criticized the foreign-backed elite that dominates African leadership, describing them as “armchair slaves” and part of a “polymer chain” installed to keep African nations in submission.

“We came to break the chain. And it’s inconceivable for them… They asked us to fall in line… We refused… and from then on, hostilities began.”

Traoré accused foreign actors of infiltrating the Sahel with mercenaries, launching both physical and information warfare.

Yet, he declared, “The people of the Sahel have understood. And never again will they be manipulated… People are awake and fighting today. Not for ourselves, but for future generations.”

He warned against the foreign imposition of values under the guise of “Democracy, Freedom, and Human Rights,” claiming these ideals are being used as tools of control.

“Their local lackeys are only elected in a democratic, free and transparent process, according to them, their values… Very well. We have decided to take responsibility for ourselves.”

Recalling Niger’s pivotal moment on July 26, 2023, when it ousted foreign influence, Traoré reaffirmed the AES’s shared defense pact:

“Anyone who dares to attack Niger will face us because we will wage a relentless war to the last drop of blood against anyone who dares to attack our states… This decision we made yesterday is relevant today and will be relevant tomorrow and forever.”

Established on September 16, 2023, the AES has moved beyond defense, Traoré revealed, aiming to collaborate on broader sectors such as finance, economy, infrastructure, health, and education.

“I hope that these moments will be a story we write for the AES, but especially for Africa and the entire world,” he declared. “May God enlighten each and every one of us… and above all… let us keep one thing in mind, the supreme interest of our populations.”

In a resounding close, he saluted the people of Niger and called for unwavering solidarity among the alliance: “Once again, thank you, people of Niger. Be united and in solidarity, people of the AES, the homeland or death.”