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Episode details

World Service,16 May 2025,37 mins

Why is Burkina Faso's Ibrahim Traoré 'popular'

Focus on Africa

Available for over a year

Burkina Faso's military ruler, 37 year old Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has skilfully built a persona of a pan-Africanist leader, determined to free his nation from what he sees as, 'the clutches of Western imperialism and neo-colonialism'. This message has resonated across Africa and beyond on social media. But what's fact and what's fiction? Why has Ethiopia's government banned the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) from taking part in elections? And Benin's bid to become Africa's cycling superpower. Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Patricia Whitehorne and Bella Hassan Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

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