The U.S. has accused Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, of misusing gold reserves to maintain his regime and issued a Level 4 travel advisory citing security risks. These moves are seen as efforts to isolate the nation. Burkina Faso’s government rejected the accusations, labeling them political and misleading, emphasizing Traoré’s focus on transparency, anti-corruption efforts, and national self-reliance. Traoré, since 2022, has been regarded as a modest, reform-driven leader striving to reclaim resources for his people, contrasting Western claims of corruption. The situation underscores tensions between Burkina Faso’s sovereign ambitions and Western narratives.