Rastas backing African leader

Some members of the Rastafarian community have pledged their support for President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso.

In a show of solidarity, a crowd of protesters lined up outside of the United States Embassy in Wildey, St Michael, to speak out against potential American interference within the African nation.

Traoré took control of Burkina Faso in September 2022, ousting interim President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba in a coup d’état, subsequently becoming the world’s youngest head of state, at the age of 37.

Traoré’s rule has been marked by a dedication to transforming Burkina Faso, banning French military operations in the nation and nationalising two gold mines, halting the exportation of unrefined gold.

Lumumba Batson, who spoke with the Sunday Sun on behalf of the Rastafarian Progressive Movement, expressed his admiration for the young leader, noting that his efforts should be an example of the transformation that could be accomplished.

“It means a lot to me. It tells me that I could do it too, you can do it too, wherever you are. As long as the colonial masters are on your foot, you have a right to tell them get off your foot, you have that right,” he said.

Opposition to Traoré’s rule have been voiced by President Emmanuel Macron, of France and black Marine Corp General Michael Langley, head of the US Africa Command, who labelled Traoré as a “concerning figure”, marking him as a potential threat to the continent.

Langley was chastised by a protester who held a placard which read, “Langley is a traitor to his black race, shame on you!

“The message I would like to send is America take care of your own business,” declared Batson. “France, you have problems, so take care of France and stay out of African business. We are men, we are women and we are able to chart our own course. We are sovereign people and you have to respect us as a sovereign people.” (JRN)

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