Burkina Faso President Captain Ibrahim Traoré recently gave an interview to the national media. During this interview, the leader discussed issues relating to the economy, politics, society, and regional and international geopolitics. He particularly focused on the cooling of relations between Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso.

"We were there for the revolution and the revolution is a break"

According to his explanation, Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara wanted him to "follow a certain direction" upon taking power in September 2022. But his request was rejected.

"As revolutionaries, we know that we are not here for that. We were here for the revolution, and the revolution is a break. We cannot follow a certain policy," declared Captain Traoré.

Following this refusal, relations between Ouagadougou and Abidjan took a turn for the worse. "All those who wanted a certain privilege and didn't get it turned against us. They deported themselves there, where they are supported, secure, and everything. We know what we're talking about. They also know what we're talking about. They're there, to act against us," the President of Faso explained.

The leader goes even further, accusing Côte d'Ivoire of serving as a "rear base for an organization seeking to destabilize Burkina Faso." "They are there. Burkina's enemies are clearly there, protected," Captain Traoré insisted.

"The government is flirting with terrorists. We must not lie to ourselves."

The putschist also expressed concern about the "non-aggression pact between Ivory Coast and the entrepreneurs of violence."

"The government is flirting with terrorists. We must not lie to ourselves. Do you believe that the Ivorian army (is so powerful that terrorists are reluctant to attack it)? Are they more powerful than the three armies of the AES? There is a non-aggression pact, and when there is a pact, you become a rear base," affirmed the President of Faso.