Keypoints:
- Zuma, Traoré vow Africa’s ‘liberation’
- Alliance to fight foreign exploitation
- Pan-African unity takes centre stage
FORMER South African president Jacob Zuma has joined forces with Burkina Faso’s Captain Ibrahim Traoré in what they describe as a renewed mission to free Africa from the grip of neocolonialism.
The two leaders met at the presidential palace in Ouagadougou on November 3, where discussions centred on strengthening economic cooperation, regional security, and consolidating Africa’s sovereignty in the face of foreign interference.
Zuma, who led South Africa from 2009 to 2018 and now heads the opposition MK Party, commended Traoré’s political courage and leadership, saying his ‘clear vision for a self-reliant and united Africa’ reflected the ideals of past liberation movements.
‘Our meeting was to chart a way of working together to continue the struggle for the liberation of Africa,’ Zuma said in a statement released by Burkina Faso’s Presidency. He described the encounter as ‘productive and forward-looking’, adding that the continent’s resources must be managed by Africans themselves.
‘Africa can no longer allow others to decide its destiny,’ he noted.
Building pan-African solidarity
Zuma’s visit formed part of a wider programme organised by the African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI), which hosted over 700 Afro-descendants in Burkina Faso for the ‘Grand Return’ conference. The event sought to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with the continent’s social and economic revival.
Participants included Dr Arikana Chihombori-Quao, founder of ADDI and former African Union representative to the United States, as well as Zimbabwean Pan-Africanist Joshua Mpong.
Sessions held between October 26 and November 3 explored key issues such as economic sovereignty, Pan-African cooperation, and the protection of African cultural heritage.
According to organisers, the conference represented a symbolic return of Africa’s global diaspora, reaffirming their role in the continent’s development.
Traoré’s assertive Pan-African stance
Since seizing power in 2022, Captain Traoré has emerged as one of Africa’s most outspoken pan-Africanist leaders. His administration has adopted a defiant stance towards Western influence, particularly targeting former colonial power France and the United States, which he accuses of undermining African autonomy.
Burkina Faso, alongside neighbouring Mali and Niger, has formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a coalition aimed at promoting regional independence and combating terrorism without foreign military dependence. The three countries have cut ties with several Western institutions, choosing instead to foster South-South partnerships with nations such as Russia, China, and others across the Global South.
For Traoré, the partnership with Zuma symbolises a deeper ideological alignment between the continent’s liberation-era leaders and a new generation of nationalist reformers.
‘We must reclaim Africa’s dignity through unity and self-reliance,’ he said in remarks published by TRT Afrika. ‘Our destiny is not to serve external interests but to shape our own future.’
Africa’s new front against foreign influence
Observers say the growing collaboration between leaders such as Traoré and Zuma reflects a broader wave of anti-neocolonial sentiment sweeping across Africa. The trend has gained momentum following military takeovers in the Sahel, where juntas have accused Western powers of exploiting natural resources while failing to curb insecurity.
Analysts note that by courting figures like Zuma, the Burkinabè leader is seeking to build legitimacy among traditional Pan-Africanists while expanding his influence beyond the Sahel. Zuma’s endorsement, despite his own controversial legacy in South Africa, could bolster efforts to frame the AES alliance as part of a continental awakening against exploitation.
The movement echoes historical calls for African unity first championed by figures such as Kwame Nkrumah, Thomas Sankara, and Julius Nyerere. For many supporters, the renewed rhetoric around ‘liberation’ serves as a reminder that political independence alone has not translated into full sovereignty.
Shared call for economic sovereignty
Both Zuma and Traoré emphasised that the struggle for Africa’s liberation today is primarily economic. They urged governments across the continent to reclaim control over mining, energy, and agricultural resources long dominated by foreign companies.
‘True independence means owning and managing our wealth,’ Zuma said. ‘For too long, Africa’s natural riches have benefited others. That must change.’
The meeting concluded with a pledge to deepen cooperation between their political movements and to rally wider African and diaspora support for initiatives advancing self-sufficiency and economic justice.
As Burkina Faso consolidates its new Pan-African alliances, the partnership between Traoré and Zuma may signal an emerging ideological bloc seeking to redefine Africa’s place in the global order.
