While Captain Ibrahim Traoré is the face of Burkina Faso, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo is one of the key figures shaping the country’s trajectory.
He is the man responsible for shutting down major Western media platforms, including TV5 Monde, Deutsche Welle, Le Monde, France 24, the BBC, and Voice of America.
Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo was born on December 26, 1980, in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.
He studied at the University of Ouagadougou, earning a baccalaureate in sociology and a master’s degree in mediation and conflict management.
In 2006, he furthered his studies at the Institute of Technology and Information Sciences in Burkina Faso.
His professional journalism career began in 2007 at the National Television of Burkina Faso (RTB), where he served as a journalist, reporter, and news presenter.
In 2016, he was appointed Editor-in-Chief of RTB, a role he held for five years, until 2021, when he was promoted to Director.
In October 2022, Captain Ibrahim Traoré appointed Ouédraogo as the Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism, as well as the government’s spokesperson.
His tenure was marked by decisive actions, including the suspension of certain foreign media outlets to protect national interests and sovereignty.
On December 7, 2024, in recognition of his unwavering dedication and visionary leadership, President Ibrahim Traoré appointed Ouédraogo as the 17th Prime Minister of Burkina Faso.
He succeeded Apollinaire Joachimson Kaylem de Tambela as Prime Minister of Burkina Faso.
Ouédraogo’s commitment to national sovereignty and cultural preservation aligned with Captain Traoré’s vision, making him the ideal choice for the position.
As Prime Minister, Ouédraogo has overseen the successful completion of several major projects, including the largest hospital in West Africa, a tomato processing plant, the procurement of 500 agricultural machines, and overseeing counterterrorism operations.
