Three years after Ibrahim Traoré’s rise to power, Burkina Faso remains caught between hope and hardship. Security challenges, humanitarian crises, and a shifting geopolitical posture define the country’s present reality. So, how is Burkina Faso doing now?
Security situation in Burkina Faso now
Despite promises to restore stability, the insurgency led by groups affiliated with al-Qaeda (JNIM) and the Islamic State (ISGS) has intensified in several provinces. According to Reuters, attacks in 2025 have continued in the Sahel, Est, and Nord regions. Road ambushes, blockades, and IEDs make travel between major towns risky, while rural communities often live under militant control.
The government’s response has involved joint operations with Mali and Niger under the Alliance of Sahel States. Security sources note that coordination has improved, but the scale of the insurgency remains daunting. Analysts warn that military operations alone cannot resolve a conflict rooted in governance gaps, poverty, and intercommunal disputes.
Burkina Faso humanitarian situation in 2025
The humanitarian toll remains severe. The UN and aid groups estimate that over two million people are internally displaced, a number that continues to climb. Displacement camps around Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso strain limited resources, leaving families dependent on humanitarian aid that is chronically underfunded. Food insecurity affects nearly one in four Burkinabé, and malnutrition rates among children are rising.
Healthcare is collapsing in conflict zones. Clinics are abandoned due to insecurity, while in displacement centers overstretched staff struggle to meet demand. Vaccination campaigns have stalled in many rural areas, increasing the risk of secondary epidemics.
Political and social dynamics in Burkina Faso
President Ibrahim Traoré maintains significant popularity among segments of the population, especially youth who see him as a symbol of defiance against foreign interference. However, critics note that his government has struggled to deliver stability despite nationalist rhetoric. Civil society groups, though constrained, continue to call for accountability, transparency, and a realistic plan for political transition.
Social cohesion is under pressure. Interfaith relations between Muslims and Christians remain largely peaceful, but displacement and economic hardship fuel localized tensions. Traoré’s balancing act—emphasizing sovereignty while avoiding religious division—remains central to maintaining a fragile unity.
Burkina Faso economy today
Burkina Faso’s economy is resource-rich but hampered by insecurity. Gold, the main export, continues to be mined, but production in some sites is disrupted by militant blockades. Informal mining, often controlled by armed groups, fuels both the insurgency and corruption. Agricultural output has fallen due to abandoned farmland, making the country increasingly reliant on imports and aid.
On the macroeconomic level, the state is looking toward alternative trade and investment opportunities, particularly with Russia and China. As analyzed in our BRICS de-dollarization report, Burkina Faso and its Sahel allies are experimenting with economic realignment to reduce dependency on Western aid.
International status now
Relations with the United States and the European Union remain cool after the 2022 coups and Burkina Faso’s January 2025 exit from ECOWAS. However, humanitarian cooperation continues in limited form. Russia, on the other hand, has strengthened its influence, providing military training and security advisors. This new alignment reshapes Burkina Faso’s international posture and may have lasting implications for the region.
Conclusion
So, how is Burkina Faso doing now? In 2025, the country remains trapped between insecurity, mass displacement, and economic disruption. While the government promotes sovereignty and regional alliances, the reality for ordinary citizens is marked by violence, instability, and uncertainty. The current situation in Burkina Faso today is therefore one of resilience under enormous pressure, where the promise of sovereignty has yet to translate into safety and prosperity for millions.
Frequently asked questions about Burkina Faso in 2025
The country remains in crisis, facing insurgent violence, mass displacement, and economic strain despite government efforts.
More than two million Burkinabé are internally displaced due to ongoing violence.
The economy is gold-dependent, disrupted by insecurity, with agriculture in decline and increased reliance on aid and imports.
The country has pivoted toward Russia and China while relations with the US and EU remain strained.
