Will the Stench of Colonialism Be Cleansed from Africa’s Scorched Lands?

One remark by Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré deeply moved me:“Our generation can’t understand why we’re poor while sitting on such rich resources.”

Africa has long been marked by military coups, most of which were brutally orchestrated by colonial powers. But this time, something different happened: the French were driven out of Burkina Faso completely.

Traoré’s interviews with international media are followed with great interest and widely shared by young Africans. The President of Burkina Faso has earned considerable respect across the continent.

Western democratic states enter a country, exploit its resources for centuries, and find collaborators who serve their interests. Whenever a leader emerges who threatens those interests, they accuse him of “dictatorship” or “military rule.”

I asked a well-educated young man from Burkina Faso:

“France seems unhappy with your president. What do they want from you?”

With a smile, he replied:

“They say they want to bring us democracy. But we know their version of democracy all too well. They’ve been here for a hundred years—just look at the state we’re in.”

A remark from a historian we met in Cameroon has also stayed with me:

“If Africa didn’t have such riches, modern Europe wouldn’t have the prosperity it enjoys today.”

That one line made me reflect at length on what African colonization has meant for the West.

Years ago in Sudan, a friend gave us a short briefing. Everything he described played out over the years that followed. That day, I reached this conclusion:

If you want to understand a country’s politics, you must set foot on its soil.

That’s why I’ve traveled to many countries around the world over the years—for work, tourism, and humanitarian missions. In each place, I’ve tried to understand the history, culture, and political structure. I believe these experiences are deeply valuable.

I came to Burkina Faso with IHH (The Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief). In the capital, we encountered representatives from Türkiye Diyanet Foundation, Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi Foundation, and the Sadaka Taşı Association.

A philanthropist had built a primary school in a nearby town. When the children reached middle school age, construction began for a middle school as well.

Now consider this: France exploited this nation’s resources for a century. Then compare that to one school building constructed by a single donor. It becomes clear how great our nation truly is.

These noble souls, who carry their hearts in their satchels from all across Anatolia, bring Türkiye’s mission, the spirit of Muslim solidarity, and the values of justice and mercy to the far corners of the world.

Charity organizations in our country are paving the way for our businesspeople. We hope our industrialists and merchants also join in. Relations between states only take on real meaning through trade.

If most African countries produced wheat like Konya or fruits and vegetables like Antalya, a quarter of their problems would be solved.

Post-Coup Developments Since 2022:

Following the 2022 military coup, Burkina Faso returned to military rule and now faces a complex political and security landscape. Captain Ibrahim Traoré remains at the head of the military leadership.

In 2024, national consultations resulted in an extension of the transition period by another five years starting from July 2, 2024.

The new constitution allows Traoré to run in the next presidential elections. He currently holds the most influential political role, serving as both head of the military and government.

Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, a former journalist, was appointed prime minister in 2024. His decision to ban several French media outlets made significant waves.

Ousmane Bougouma, President of the Interim Legislative Assembly, is also one of the country’s key political figures.

One of the most notable post-coup developments in Burkina Faso is the complete political rupture with France. Along with Mali and Niger, which experienced similar shifts, Burkina Faso formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

This alliance is seen as a move by Sub-Saharan African countries to secure their own safety and assert independence from the West.

Western powers don’t just claim to bring development and democracy—they’ve also proven highly adept at creating terrorist organizations.

Since the war in Afghanistan, Western intelligence agencies have fueled chaos in these regions through groups like Al-Qaeda and its new variant, ISIS.

School Inauguration and Friday Sermon:

We attended both the school’s groundbreaking ceremony and Friday prayer in the town where IHH was distributing sacrificial meat.

When the congregation learned we were from Türkiye, they invited us to speak after the prayer.

“I bring you greetings from Istanbul—the city that ruled one-third of the world for centuries.”

Our lands were under occupation for a hundred years. And in the century that followed, we suffered cultural imperialism and humiliation.

These lands belong to Africans, and they always will until the end of time.

President Ibrahim Traoré, who drove out French colonialism and captured global attention, is becoming a role model for other African nations.

We will work harder and grow stronger. Just like Türkiye, we will protect our independence.

This is our shared destiny. We will continue to heed the call of fate and keep alive the spirit of Muslim unity and brotherhood.

It had been a long time since I gave such a passionate and revolutionary speech. At both the school inauguration and Friday prayer, the people were visibly moved.

Eid prayers in Africa are typically held outdoors. Seeing tens of thousands of Burkinabè come together with cries of “Labbayk!” was a sight to behold.