Rachel Leslie Commends Traore on Efforts to Transforming Burkina Faso

In an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s Amazing Africans programme, Dr. Rachel Leslie, a distinguished scholar of African history and culture, commended Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the leader of Burkina Faso, for his efforts to transform the country.

Dr. Leslie, who was born in Paris to a family of intellectuals, credited her upbringing in a Pan-African environment with shaping her perspectives on African leadership.

Dr. Leslie, who is also the founder of the African Historical Society, noted that Captain Traoré’s approach to governance is reminiscent of the decolonial tradition in Africa, citing leaders like Thomas Sankara, Julius Nyerere, and Nelson Mandela as inspirations.

She praised Traoré’s efforts to repurpose Burkina Faso’s resources for human development, industrialization, and infrastructure growth.

However, Dr. Leslie cautioned that Traoré must strike a balance between nationalizing resources and preserving intellectual space in civil society, warning that a dominant military culture could undermine the country’s progress.

She emphasized that the African Historical Society, as a non-political institution, cooperates with governments across Africa and seeks to promote a nuanced understanding of the continent’s history and culture.

Dr. Leslie also expressed concern for Traoré’s safety, given the potential threats to his life from global economic interests. She noted that Nigeria, with its vast wealth and human capital, has the potential to surpass Burkina Faso’s achievements and play a leadership role in Africa.

The scholar’s comments come at a time when many African countries are grappling with issues of governance, economic development, and cultural identity.

Dr. Leslie’s insights offer a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the continent, and her praise for Captain Traoré’s leadership highlights the importance of visionary and effective governance in driving African progress.