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Seymour Condemns Waititi's Praise for Burkina Faso Leader

7/4/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour slammed Te Pati Maori co-leader Rawiri Waititi for hailing Burkina Faso's military leader Ibrahim Traoré as a "modern day hero." With the 2023 election looming, Waititi's remarks sparked alarm over the state of democracy, as Traoré, who took power in 2022, grapples with serious allegations of authoritarianism and human rights abuses.

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Story summary

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour slammed Te Pati Maori co-leader Rawiri Waititi for hailing Burkina Faso's military leader Ibrahim Traoré as a "modern day hero." With the 2023 election looming, Waititi's remarks sparked alarm over the state of democracy, as Traoré, who took power in 2022, grapples with serious allegations of authoritarianism and human rights abuses.