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In recent days, social media platforms have been awash with unverified and misleading claims alleging that His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio of the Republic of Sierra Leone demanded the resignation of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the transitional President of Burkina Faso.
As a public commentator and, above all, a private citizen committed to factual integrity and national dignity, I find it necessary to firmly and formally debunk these claims.
Let it be stated clearly: there is no official record of in speech, document, or press release indicating that President Bio ever asked Captain Traoré to resign. This narrative, widely circulated across digital forums, is baseless, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to distort a well-documented diplomatic engagement between two African heads of state.
In fact, in August 2024, President Bio paid an official visit to Burkina Faso as part of his diplomatic duties during Sierra Leone’s presidency of the United Nations Security Council. During that visit, he held bilateral talks with President Traoré on matters of mutual interest, most notably, regional security, democratic stability, and cooperative engagement in addressing the ongoing threats in the Sahel region.
Respected international media outlets, including Anadolu Agency and Reuters, reported on the visit, highlighting a tone of mutual respect, non-interference, and pan-African solidarity. President Bio spoke clearly and confidently about the importance of African-led solutions to African problems; not about interference in the internal political affairs of Burkina Faso.
Nowhere in his address, nor in any media appearance during that trip, did he make any call for the resignation or removal of President Traoré. No such sentiment was expressed in private or public. To state otherwise is to engage in pure fabrication.
The origin of this misinformation remains murky, but it appears to have stemmed from unverified blog posts and anonymous social media accounts intent on spreading division and undermining the integrity of both leaders. Such unfounded claims are not only intellectually dishonest, they are dangerous. They risk igniting unnecessary diplomatic tension between two sovereign nations and misleading the public into believing in events that never occurred.
It is worth noting that no credible news organization or international monitoring agency has validated this rumor. It exists solely in the realm of social media chatter and speculative blogging.
Misinformation like this, if left unchecked, has the potential to undermine trust in leadership, weaken regional cooperation, and breed cynicism among citizens. This is particularly dangerous in a region already grappling with terrorism, political instability, and economic hardship. The leaders of Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso must be allowed to pursue their national and regional agendas without being dragged into fictional controversies.
Let us remember that President Bio has long stood for diplomacy, sovereignty, and mutual respect among African nations. His record, both domestically and on the international stage, speaks of a leader who values dialogue over disruption and partnership over provocation.
As a private citizen, I urge all Sierra Leoneans, Burkinabés, and indeed all Africans, to treat information with critical thought and responsibility. Before sharing posts or reacting to claims, we must ask: Is this credible? Has this been confirmed? Who stands to benefit from this narrative? Let us promote unity, peace, and the truth. The time for rumor-mongering must come to an end. Our continent demands and deserves better.
Disclaimer: This statement is made in good faith as a contribution to public discourse and does not reflect the views of any institution or official body.
Thanks for this balanced and well written article. It sums up my personal views on this matter. I am aware of moves made by the President to bring back the breakaway Sahel States back to ECOWAS.
There is a growing wave of misinformation and disinformation on mainstream media and social media outlets pertaining to conflict, political and social issues. This is dangerous for a country like Sierra Leone where people don’t rationalize and can be easily misled.
This is the handiwork of Bio’s enemies mainly from the APC
Sure my brother
Are the APC only Bio enemies? Note that Bio has created enemies even within his party.
These are all the work of opposition just to spoil the image of president Bio
All this grammar you just type ,did you listing to the minister of information remarks how he claimed the leadership of Ibrahim traore is a package what’s does that mean? Under his leadership can you compared to your own leader in terms of achievement and by appreciation of his people? Let put the blanket of shame aside and face the hard fact you people called journalists are the problem of this nation by hiding the fact bcs of brown envelopes ✉️ like emmerson sings it . Always hiding politicians and poor performance failing to let your people know is disgrace to your professionalism you are there to be an intermediate level play filed to reach the government on the demand of their people and the people to acknowledge the commitment of their government but your busy doing lies
It’s very shameful for maada bio to defend him self to short an issue like that
My friend we are talking about the resignation of Ibrahim claimed to said by president Bio, which is false!
Your expression show that you are APC and the “APC team A” decimated that misinformation. You guys are still fighting a loosing battle against president Bio.
Not sure who called the author of this article “pan gbara case.” They “threw corn” for Maada Bio, and you jump in with “kluk kluk kluk.” This is a matter for State House to debunk, accept, or remain silent. Until then, allow us the “subjects” to make our individual assessments. Your defense is not persuasive.
Kema, your responses are very mature, you really hit the hammer on the nail.
Let Mr ECOWAS village chairman try to address his own backyard pressing problems. THE YENGA BORDER LAND ISSUES.
Mad killer criminal Maada Bio has no shame left in him at all. Ibrahim Traore enjoys love from his people due his service and dedication. Maada Bio on the other hand kills his people and subjects them to inhuman treatment. I pray Allah intervenes in favour of Sierra Leoneans.