Burkina Faso’s military-led government has announced that it successfully thwarted what it characterised as a “major coup plot” against junta leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, according to a report by the BBC on Tuesday.
In a televised address on Monday, Burkina Faso’s Security Minister, Mahamadou Sana, revealed that both active and retired soldiers, allegedly collaborating with terrorist groups, had conspired to storm the presidential palace.
The group reportedly intended to carry out the attack last week.
Sana asserted that the aim was to plunge the nation into chaos and establish a regime under the influence of an international organisation. He also stated that the conspirators sought to sway public opinion by enlisting religious and traditional leaders to influence military officers in support of the coup.
“The plotters had set their sights on 16 April for a direct assault on the presidency. They had been recruiting soldiers and passing strategic information to terrorist elements to fuel unrest and incite rebellion,” Sana said.
He further alleged that the masterminds of the operation were based in Ivory Coast, naming two former army officers believed to be behind the plot. To date, Ivorian authorities have not responded to these allegations.
This announcement follows the recent arrest of several military personnel, including two officers, suspected of attempting to destabilise the regime, according to security sources who spoke to AFP.
This is not the first instance of Traoré’s administration reporting attempted coups.
It is important to note that Traoré seized power in 2022 amid escalating frustration over rampant jihadist violence. Nearly 40% of Burkina Faso is currently beyond government control due to insurgent activity.
Despite shifting alliances away from France and towards Russia in pursuit of more effective security cooperation, attacks by jihadist groups continue to result in regular casualties.
Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, recently withdrew from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS to form a new coalition of military-led governments, citing shared security challenges and ideological alignment.
