In a bold and symbolic statement, President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso has renewed calls for the creation of a United States of Africa, advocating for the erasure of colonial-era borders that continue to divide the continent.
The declaration was made during the national celebration of the Democratic and Popular Revolution (DPR) — a movement originally led by the late revolutionary icon Captain Thomas Sankara. Speaking at the commemoration event, President Traoré passionately emphasized the need for African unity rooted in sovereignty, solidarity, and shared progress.
In his address, Traoré stated:
“This revolution, fueled by our refusal to accept the status quo and a renewed commitment to the people’s desire for a proud, free, and sovereign Nation, is being revitalized through the Popular Progressive Revolution (PPR)… With the same determination as our brave predecessors, we will triumph over imperialism so that BURKINA FASO can thrive.”
He stressed the importance of dismantling the artificial borders drawn by imperial powers during the colonial era, stating that a truly independent and prosperous Africa must not be bound by lines designed to divide.
Traoré’s call has reignited the pan-African vision once championed by historical figures such as Kwame Nkrumah and Muammar Gaddafi, who both advocated for continental integration politically, economically, and militarily.
Observers note that the president’s vision aligns with the rising anti-colonial sentiment sweeping across West Africa, especially in countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger — all currently under military-led governments resisting Western influence.
At just 36, Traoré is one of the youngest heads of state in the world, and his rhetoric reflects a generational push for a new African order driven by self-reliance, pan-African solidarity, and continental pride.
Analysts and pan-Africanists are now asking:
Is this the moment Africa finally rises above the artificial divisions imposed by colonial rulers?
Can the dream of a united Africa — politically, economically, and militarily — become reality in this generation?
The conversation continues to gain momentum across Africa, as the call for unity echoes louder in a region yearning for transformation.
