Burkina Faso ‘s military ruler, Captain Ibrahim Traore, has sought to quash growing speculation of power struggle within the ruling junta, declaring there can be only one leader and warning he would swiftly deal with anyone who challenged his authority.
The rumours have been fueled by the prolonged absence from public view of two of the junta’s most influential figures – Oumarou Yabre, widely regarded as the regime’s second-in command, and Farouk Azaria Sorgho, the junta’s spokesman and commander of a powerful Rapid Intervention Battalion.
“There can’t be two captains in one ship”, Traore told community leaders in Ouahigouya, northern Burkina Faso on Thursday.
“Everyone who works with me knows how I operate”, the 38-year-old military leader said.
“If everyone screws up. I’ll take you down without a second thought. There are no strongmen around me”., he threatened.
Ths speculation of infighting focuses on the junta’s second -and third-in-command -Oumarou Yabre, one of the most influential figures in Burkina’s secured apparatus, and Farouk Azaria Sorgho, junta spokesman and commander of a powerful Rapid Intervention Battalion.
Yabre — who heads the intelligence services and National Security Council, and is considered to be Burkina’s second-in -command — has not been seen since late May.
Reports of tensions between Traore and Yabre have circulated since 2023, although both men have repeatedly denied any rift.
A security official, requesting anonymity, told AFP Yabre had stopped going to his office at the National Intelligence Agency and the security details assigned to his home has been cut substantially.
“He didn’t appear at the traditional flag-rasing ceremony at the presidency, which he usually attends or at the recent ceremony at the presidential palace to promote three senior officers to general”, another security official noted.
Yabre’s entourage says several of his close associates have been abducted or arrested, including Islamic preacher Ishaq Kindo, who had criticized a bill regulating religious freedoms.
“This man is fundamentally bad”, Traore said of Kindo on Thursday.
“He thought he was powerful because he created an Islamic police force in 2019”
Two officials close to Yabre were removed from their posts by presidential decree on June 17 –one the CEO of the National Hydrocarbons Company, the other a Ministerial advisor for youth affairs.
Sorgho, the regime’s high-profile third-in-command, has not appeared publicly since mid-May.
In recent months, Sorgho has become a prominent figure in government’s anti- corruption campaign, publicly exposing alleged financial misconduct and overseeing disciplinary measures.
Since mid-May his Battallion No 4 has reportedly been led by Sorgho’s deputy. Security officials allege Sorgho has been “abducted” by associates of Traore, although no official experience has been given for his absence.
Traore, who seized power in September 2022 coup, did not directly address the reported disappearance of either official. However, his remark is appeared aimed at dispelling mounting speculation of divisions within the military leadership.
-9News Nigeria.
