MY take on News. Past Facebook posts.

BURKINA FASO.

NEWS: “After Coup in Burkina Faso, Protesters Turn to Russia for Help.” / “Military Takes Power in West African Nation of Burkina Faso.” Mutinous officers claim that the public was fed up with President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré because of his inability to stop attacks by Islamist militants. And the military organization is fed up as well with France, former colonizer and now supposedly a benefactor, to stop the violence so now they call for Russia’s help.

       Burkina Faso has been severely affected by the rise of Islamist terror in the Sahel since the mid-2010s. Terrorist activity primarily involves religious terrorism conducted by foreign-based organizations, mostly concentrated in the Hauts-Bassins, Boucle du Mouhoun, Nord, Sahel, and Est regions, along the border with Mali and Niger.

       A series of attacks in Ouagadougou in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and its affiliates was particularly deadly, garnering international attention. And, of course, Washington’s (re)focus of military focus from Afghanistan and Syria to this region, also in pursuit of Boko Haram northeastern Nigeria, and Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

       While majority of the violence are blamed on terrorism, communal frustration among the 21 million population over the lack of economic development is also a tremendous contributory factor in the strife.

       In its early years, Burkina Faso was subject to instability, droughts, famines and corruption. Various coups have also taken place: 1966, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1987, an attempt in 1989, 2015, and this year.

       But why seek Russian intervention? Turned out, the two countries have history of cordial relations. However, Vladimir Putin is obviously very busy with Ukraine to pay attention beyond, for now. 🇧🇫☮️🇧🇫

NOT entirely unexpected that Ouagadougou calls out for Moscow’s help in these times of trouble. Diplomatic relations between Burkina Faso and the Soviet Union were established in 1967. And then after the breakup of the USSR, Burkina Faso recognized Russia as the Soviets’ successor.

       However, despite token economic exchange as well as cultural interface by way of Russia’s offer of educational opportunities in Moscow for Burkina Faso students, Ouagadougou’s top trading partners are not the Kremlin. Burkina Faso’s main business ally is its neighbor Cote d'Ivoire, followed by China (surprise!) Ghana, France, and India.

       In recent years, Burkina Faso's mining industry has been expanding and is now the most important sector of the economy. Main exports are gold, which comprise 70 percent of total exports, plus cotton, zinc, phosphate rock, and livestock. Although China has already sunk investment in the country, it hasn’t really followed through due to pressing issues, utmost is the continuing internal strife.

       Ouagadougou is the only African state to have twice recognized the Republic of China or Taiwan: in 1964 and in 1994. As a result, Taiwan helped finance some of Burkina Faso leaderships’ political programs to the detriment of the People's Republic of China in Beijing. Yet in 2018, Burkina Faso cut ties with Taiwan and then re-established diplomatic relations with the Mainland.

       Beijing, meantime, is very wary of the active terrorism in the region—but expressed willingness to provide assistance if Ouagadougou fights terror groups and safeguard national security. Wait and see. China doesn’t normally gamble FDIs in countries beset by conflict. And as the usual case, it is the U.S. that takes care of that troublesome political gig. This time though, Burkina Faso is calling on Russia, which is of course a BFF of China, to fix its mess. 🇧🇫☮️🇧🇫

APPARENTLY, Russia or President Vladimir Putin is busy with the Ukraine situation to give attention to Burkina Faso. Meantime, the United States’ presence in BF is more via Peace Corps programs and Washington’s aid to the constantly beleaguered nation is still extremely limited although investment possibilities exist, especially in the mining and communications sectors. But when?

       Which brings us to China. In 2018 or prior to Covid-19 pandemic, Beijing unveiled a whopping $60 billion African aid package, all related to the Belt and Road Africa infrastructure development fund. The budget has long surged as BRI pushes through.

       Before all these, the IMF has declared Africa the world’s second-fastest growing region, and many are predicting that it is well on its way to becoming a $5 trillion economy, as household consumption is expected to increase at a 3.8 percent yearly clip to $2.1 trillion by 2025. The attention of the world is now drifting towards Africa. Regardless of the political instability, China coming-in is no longer a radical projection. Beijing is very interested.

        Besides, despite internal troubles, Burkina Faso still registers a fine GDP growth rate of 6.67 percent, a huge jump from 2020’s and 1.93 percent and 2019’s 5.7 percent. Also, the country, which is around the geographic size of Nevada, is relatively easier to handle, per infrastructure upgrade.

       However, it would seem Burkina Faso has no choice. It seeks Russia’s help but Moscow is into Ukraine at this moment. As ever, smaller/poorer nations will have to wait till the larger geopolitical catfight subsides or ends before their “benefactors” could put attention on them. But knowing China, it quietly courses its moves with certainty on the sideline—as we view the Ukraine Drama. 🇧🇫☮️🇧🇫