Burkina Faso: A Case Study in Disinformation and State Collapse
Burkina Faso, once a relatively peaceful nation in West Africa, has become a grim illustration of the devastating consequences of disinformation, political instability, and violent extremism. Declared the global epicenter of terrorism in 2024, the country is grappling with a complex web of challenges, exacerbated by a junta government led by President Ibrahim Traoré that prioritizes the manipulation of information over addressing the nation’s pressing needs. While the regime propagates a carefully crafted image of stability and international support, the reality on the ground is one of escalating violence, societal fragmentation, and a worrying erosion of democratic principles.
The rise of disinformation in Burkina Faso has reached alarming levels, largely due to the regime’s sophisticated use of technology. Deepfake videos, portraying Traoré as a beloved figure endorsed by international celebrities, circulate widely, creating a distorted perception of reality for a population with limited access to education and critical thinking skills. This manipulation extends beyond fabricated endorsements, with the regime appropriating footage of development projects from other countries to create a false narrative of progress and deflect attention from its own failures.
The junta’s propaganda efforts aim to obscure the grim realities of its counterterrorism strategy, which has largely fueled further violence and instability. The government’s arming of civilian militias, ostensibly to combat jihadist groups, has resulted in a surge of attacks against minority communities, exacerbating ethnic tensions and driving further recruitment into extremist organizations. This cycle of violence, coupled with the government’s systematic suppression of dissent and independent media, has effectively silenced any opposition voices and created an information vacuum where state-sponsored propaganda thrives.
Burkina Faso’s descent into this information dystopia is not unique, but it represents a particularly extreme case within the Sahel region. While neighboring countries like Mali and Niger have also witnessed increases in disinformation campaigns and authoritarian crackdowns, Burkina Faso stands out due to the complete dismantling of civil society and independent media. The absence of counter-narratives and critical scrutiny has allowed the junta’s propaganda to go largely unchecked, further solidifying its control over the information landscape and shaping public perception.
Several factors have contributed to the uniquely vulnerable position of Burkina Faso. The country’s low literacy rate and limited access to education have created a population susceptible to manipulation and lacking the critical thinking skills necessary to discern fact from fiction. This vulnerability is further exploited by the regime’s tight grip on information dissemination, creating an echo chamber where state-sponsored narratives dominate. Unlike other countries in the region with active civil society organizations and independent media outlets, Burkina Faso lacks these critical checks on power, leaving the population at the mercy of the junta’s propaganda machine.
The prevailing conditions in Burkina Faso are a stark contrast to those seen in Mali and Niger, where remnants of non-jihadist opposition groups still maintain a presence, offering alternative narratives and contesting the state’s disinformation campaigns. While Sudan also faces significant challenges, its limited information infrastructure and low literacy rates create a different set of dynamics. Similarly, the Central African Republic, despite experiencing Russian-backed disinformation campaigns, still possesses pockets of independent media and active opposition groups capable of challenging official narratives. These comparative examples highlight the unique confluence of factors that have made Burkina Faso particularly vulnerable to the destructive effects of disinformation and state-sponsored propaganda.
The international community bears some responsibility for the current crisis in Burkina Faso. The West’s failure to design and implement effective counterterrorism strategies in the Sahel region has fueled resentment and provided fertile ground for anti-Western sentiment, which is actively exploited by the junta and its external backers. The legacy of colonialism, particularly France’s continued economic influence through the CFA franc currency system, continues to be a source of grievance and fuels accusations of neocolonial exploitation. This resentment is compounded by the presence of Western mining companies, which are often portrayed as symbols of foreign exploitation and contribute to a narrative of economic injustice.
The failures of Western counterterrorism efforts, particularly the protracted and ultimately unsuccessful Operation Barkhane led by France, have further eroded trust and fueled anti-Western sentiment. The operation, lacking clear objectives and facing mounting local opposition, inadvertently strengthened the narratives of external actors like Russia and China, who present themselves as alternative partners. These actors have actively engaged in disinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting Western influence and promoting their own agendas, further destabilizing the region and exacerbating existing tensions.
Burkina Faso’s current trajectory is deeply concerning. The combination of escalating violence, unchecked disinformation, and societal fragmentation poses a significant threat to the country’s stability and future prospects. The junta’s reliance on propaganda and repression, rather than addressing the root causes of the crisis, only serves to deepen existing divisions and perpetuate the cycle of violence. The international community must recognize the urgency of the situation and work towards supporting initiatives that promote education, critical thinking, and independent media, while holding the regime accountable for its actions. Failure to act decisively risks further destabilizing the region and creating a breeding ground for extremism that could have far-reaching consequences.