Capt. Traoré's Sidearm Display Close to Mahama Sets Tongues Wagging

Accra, Ghana - 08 Jan, 2025 - Burkina Faso's Head of State, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, was permitted to carry his sidearm during his historic visit to Ghana's presidential inauguration ceremony yesterday according to Lead News sources.

This bold move has raised eyebrows, sparking questions about the significance of this gesture and what it might mean for the future of relations between Ghana and Burkina Faso.

According to sources, Ghana's security officials had given Traoré permission to carry his sidearm, taking into account the circumstances of his visit. Insiders revealed that the decision was made after careful consideration, acknowledging that Traoré's signature military uniform, complete with sidearm, represented his authority and sovereignty as a leader.

Traoré's visit marked a rare appearance outside the African Economic Sovereignty (AES) coalition since he assumed power in September 2022. His presence at the inauguration ceremony was seen as a bold statement of commitment to fostering closer ties with Ghana.

However, not everyone was pleased with the decision to allow Traoré to carry his sidearm. Emmanuel Bensah, a policy analyst with ECOWAS and the African Union, expressed concerns over security protocols during the ceremony.

In an interview on the  Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Jan 7, Bensah described the display as a ''security risk''.

“Looking at it from a civilian point of view, that was a security risk. I would want to believe that there would have been a security sweep before Ibrahim went on to greet Mahama. Nonetheless, it was a little awkward, and I hope these are some of the things we need to look at going forward. Because it is important, and anything could have happened,” Bensah stated.

Despite these concerns, Traoré's visit was widely seen as a significant diplomatic moment, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation and solidarity.

Source: Lead News Online