Burkina Faso’s leader, Capt Ibrahim Traore, sparked a lot of attention when he attended Ghana’s President John Mahama’s inauguration while visibly carrying a holstered pistol. Some people saw it as a sign of power, while others felt it raised security concerns, especially at such an important event. It’s unclear if Traore had permission to carry the gun, and the new Ghanaian government has not commented on the situation.
While many cheered when Traore arrived, some social media users questioned the decision to bring a weapon. Some worried that it could be seen as intimidation and a possible security risk. Security experts said it’s unusual for a leader to bring a weapon to a ceremony like this, as the host country is responsible for the safety of visiting leaders.
Traore’s attendance at the inauguration was also seen as an effort to ease tensions between Burkina Faso and Ghana, especially given the strained relations due to past accusations. His presence, with a gun at his side, may have been a political move to assert his strength as a military leader while attending a democratic event, which some people found awkward.
The situation shows the ongoing diplomatic challenges in West Africa, where the political landscape is being reshaped by military leaders like Traore. This development, and the presence of a gun, reminds us of the tense relations in the region, and how fragile security and diplomacy can be.
Source: BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c86w62z14q0o