General Langley Breaks Silence on Burkina Faso Gold, Terrorism & Traoré Comments

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander General Michael Langley has spoken out to clarify his earlier remarks that drew sharp criticism from across Africa, particularly in Burkina Faso.

Langley had come under fire following his testimony before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on April 3, 2025, where he appeared to accuse President Captain Ibrahim Traoré of mismanaging the country’s gold reserves for regime protection instead of public welfare.

Langley Clarifies Senate Comments

Speaking in a follow-up interview on May 27, Langley emphasized that his comments were based solely on a military perspective, not a political judgment. He reiterated that Burkina Faso retains its full sovereign rights in determining how to use its resources.

“They make their decisions about where their resources go for military support. That’s their sovereign right. My cautionary tale was just from a military standpoint,” Langley said.

Recognizing Progress, Pointing Out Weakness

General Langley acknowledged that many positive developments are underway in Burkina Faso under Traoré’s leadership. However, he stressed that the military remains the country’s weakest link in its ongoing fight against terrorism.

“Burkina Faso is at the epicenter of global terrorism. While there is progress, there must be sufficient resources dedicated to counter-terrorism efforts,” he stated.

Surge in Terrorist Activity

Langley noted that the threat of terrorism in Burkina Faso is growing, with groups such as ISIS, JNIM (Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin), and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) strengthening their presence.

“It’s going in the wrong direction now. ISIS is getting stronger. JNIM is getting stronger. Al-Qaeda is getting stronger in that country,” he warned.

Traoré Pushes Back Against Gold Misuse Allegations

Langley’s Senate remarks stirred controversy when he implied that Captain Traoré had diverted gold reserves for personal and regime security interests. Several African media outlets condemned the comments as a form of foreign interference.

Also Read:How Africa’s Youngest President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Is Shaping a New Era

In response, Captain Traoré rejected the accusations, framing them as part of a broader campaign of propaganda aimed at destabilizing his government.

“We must choose to fight, or we will remain slaves forever,” Traoré declared, linking the criticism to neocolonial meddling and affirming Burkina Faso’s right to chart its sovereign path.

A Balancing Act for Burkina Faso

The exchange highlights the growing tensions between African governments asserting independence and Western military interests seeking to counter terrorism in the Sahel. As terrorist groups strengthen their foothold, both foreign and domestic strategies will be critical to regional stability.

For more updates on West African security and diplomacy, visit the AFRICOM official website and follow developments on The Star’s Africa news section.