By Sidiki Fofana
Just days after Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti, visited the military government of Captain Ibrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso—a trip reportedly facilitated by a Burkinabè delegation offering to invest in Liberia’s textile industry—rumors began circulating of the Boakai administration’s alleged involvement in an international plot to topple the military leader.
Whether rooted in fact or pure speculation, the accusation sparked public reaction and led to the formation of a youth-led movement in Liberia called the Movement to Protect African Bright Minds (MPABM). The group attempted to organize a solidarity march in support of Captain Traoré, whom many young Africans hail as a revolutionary symbol of “true African independence.” However, the protest was swiftly dispersed by the Liberia National Police on the grounds that organizers had failed to secure a permit.
Captain Traoré remains a polarizing figure across Africa. Admired by youth for pushing back against former colonial influence, especially France, his military takeover and defiance of regional bodies have drawn sanctions and isolation from institutions like ECOWAS and the African Union.
Celebrity Influence and Viral Claims
The movement’s message gained national traction when an unverified video surfaced online, purportedly showing an American pop star voicing support for Captain Traoré in a song called” protect Toare .” This seems to only further the spread of the allegations of a plot to over throw his government. The star’s team has not confirmed the video’s authenticity, nor has it deny it either—fueling speculation that the star global fanbase may now be tuning into this complex geopolitical debate. Perhaps this has been part of the influence on the Movement’s unsubstantiated claim against the Boakai’s government.
In furtherance of it yet to be proven claim, MPABM reference the upcoming 2025 West Africa Logistics Conference (WALC)—to be hosted in Liberia— as ” a front for coordinating international actions to remove Traoré from power” says Abdullah Sesay, the movement’s public spokesman.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, however, the conference is focused on “enhancing interoperability, developing aligned logistics strategies, and resourcing readiness to ensure our collective ability to respond swiftly and effectively to regional challenges.” Nothing in the official statement mentions Burkina Faso or regime change.
Still, suspicions linger. With regional tensions rising and Russia expanding its presence in Africa through diplomatic and paramilitary means, some believe that Liberia could be a pawn in larger power games. Neighboring countries like Sierra Leone have reportedly welcomed Russian diplomatic engagement, while rumors continue to swirl that Russian operatives have also been exploring influence in Liberia.
Pattern or Coincidence? Liberia’s Role Under Scrutiny
This is not the first time the Boakai government has been accused of meddling in regional military politics. Just months ago, Ibrahima Khalil Cherif, who the Boakai government labeled a “Guinean operative closely linked to ousted President Alpha Condé. Cherif wielded his financial might as a weapon, exploiting Liberia’s fragile institutions and seducing key officials into a conspiracy that threatened to plunge the region into chaos”. The Insight News Outlet reported.
He was arrested and jailed . According to Cherif’s defense lawyer Cllr. Kibenah Janneh, his client was later handed over to Guinean authorities – a move he termed illegal and the News Outlet deemed an exchange that resulted in the Boakai’s government receiving “two millions. ”
In the face of these claims, President Boakai expressed gratitude to the Junta after receiving 10 pickup trucks, but fell short of debunking the allegation that the sending Cherif back to Guinea yielded those pick-up trucks or money was exchanged h the transaction .
These developments have prompted some to ask: is Liberia becoming entangled in a broader geopolitical chess game, or are these stories part of an emerging pattern of misinformation and political opportunism?
Historical Shadows and Lingering Distrust
While recent diplomatic efforts, including the Burkina Faso textile investment proposal and Foreign Minister Beysolow Nyati’s outreach in Ouagadougou, signal a warming of relations, the two nations share a complicated past. During Liberia’s brutal civil war in the 1990s, Burkina Faso was a known supporter of Charles Taylor’s insurgency—supplying fighters, weapons, and funding. The war left over 250,000 Liberians dead and millions displaced.
Government Silence and the Right to Protest
Despite issuing a warning to the MPABM about unauthorized protests, the Boakai administration has yet to formally address the allegations of involvement in the Burkina Faso plot. This silence is seen by critics as either strategic restraint or a troubling lack of transparency.
The government’s crackdown on the solidarity march stands in stark contrast to its more restrained response to previous protests—except in the case of a demonstration in Cape Mount County, where police action in defense of a controversial foreign concession company led to the death of a protester and multiple injuries.
Conclusion
Whether real or speculative, the controversy over Liberia’s alleged role in Burkina Faso’s political future exposes fragile regional alliances and the ease with which misinformation can spread in an increasingly interconnected world.
The Boakai government faces growing pressure to clarify its foreign policy position and reaffirm its commitment to democratic norms both at home and abroad. Silence is not an option in matters of such magnitude.
