Why Burkina Faso's junta leader has captured hearts and minds around the world2 days ago Share Save Farouk Chothia BBC News Share SaveIbrahim Traoré/XA charismatic 37-year-old, Burkina Faso's military ruler Capt Ibrahim Traoré has skilfully built the persona of a pan-Africanist leader determined to free his nation from what he regards as the clutches of Western imperialism and neo-colonialism. The rule also applied to Russian miner Nordgold, which was given a licence in late April for its latest investment in Burkina Faso's gold industry. Thanks to his rhetoric and pushed by a slick social media campaign, his appeal has spread around the world, including among African-Americans and Black Britons, Ms Ochieng noted. A recent example being the claim by the head of the US Africa Command, Gen Michael Langley, that Traoré was using Burkina Faso's gold reserves for his junta's protection rather than the nation's benefit. But the junta took the opportunity to organise one of its biggest rallies in Burkina Faso's capital over fears that "imperialists" and their "lackeys" were trying to depose the captain.