Capt. Ibrahim Traore leads Burkina Faso's military. He went to Ghana on Tuesday. Ghana was having a ceremony to make John Mahama its new president.
Many people were surprised by something Traore did. He had a gun on his hip at the event. That is not normal.
Some think it was a problem. They say it broke security rules. Others think it shows Traore does not trust Ghana. He may not think they can keep him safe.
Ghana has not said if Traore could bring the gun. The BBC asked them about it. But they did not answer.
Mahama won the election last month. He beat Mahamudu Bawumia by a lot. Bawumia was part of the group that was in charge before.
Traore was one of 21 leaders at the ceremony. Things are tense in West Africa right now. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger left a group called Ecowas. They made their group instead.
Experts say it is strange for a leader to bring a gun to this kind of event. The country that invited them should keep them safe. They think Ghana and Burkina Faso should have talked about it first.
But it may not be a big problem. The two countries may have agreed that Traore could wear his uniform and gun, and some of his own security people may have come, too.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have accused Ecowas of causing trouble. That may be why Traore brought his gun. But a military leader with a gun at an event about democracy looks odd.
Ghana and Burkina Faso have had some problems lately. Ghana's last president said Traore let Russian soldiers in his country. But Traore coming to the ceremony may help fix things between them.
Ghana wants to help Burkina Faso fight militants, who could also threaten countries near the coast. Burkina Faso badly needs Ghana's support in this fight.
Many people were surprised by something Traore did. He had a gun on his hip at the event. That is not normal.
Some think it was a problem. They say it broke security rules. Others think it shows Traore does not trust Ghana. He may not think they can keep him safe.
Ghana has not said if Traore could bring the gun. The BBC asked them about it. But they did not answer.
Mahama won the election last month. He beat Mahamudu Bawumia by a lot. Bawumia was part of the group that was in charge before.
Traore was one of 21 leaders at the ceremony. Things are tense in West Africa right now. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger left a group called Ecowas. They made their group instead.
Experts say it is strange for a leader to bring a gun to this kind of event. The country that invited them should keep them safe. They think Ghana and Burkina Faso should have talked about it first.
But it may not be a big problem. The two countries may have agreed that Traore could wear his uniform and gun, and some of his own security people may have come, too.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have accused Ecowas of causing trouble. That may be why Traore brought his gun. But a military leader with a gun at an event about democracy looks odd.
Ghana and Burkina Faso have had some problems lately. Ghana's last president said Traore let Russian soldiers in his country. But Traore coming to the ceremony may help fix things between them.
Ghana wants to help Burkina Faso fight militants, who could also threaten countries near the coast. Burkina Faso badly needs Ghana's support in this fight.
