Burkina Faso’s military authorities have announced that they successfully prevented a fresh coup attempt targeting the country’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
Speaking on Tuesday, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana said the planned overthrow, scheduled for late Saturday, was stopped due to the professionalism of the intelligence services, alleging that the former transitional president, Paul-Henri Damiba, was behind the foiled plot.
Damiba was ousted in September 2022 by Captain Traoré, only eight months after he had taken power from President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. Sana stated that the plot entailed coordinated attacks against both military and civilian figures, targeting to kill Captain Traoré, either through shooting or by planting explosive devices at his home.
The minister said, “Our intelligence services intercepted the operation in its final hours.”
“The plotters intended to kill the head of state and then attack other strategic institutions, including prominent civilian figures.”
He also claimed that the plot was funded from Côte d’Ivoire and was revealed to the authorities through a video leak, showing the suspects making plans.
Sana also said that the conspirators intended to sabotage the country’s drone-launch facility to block any foreign interference, adding that several suspects had been apprehended and that investigations were still underway.
“We have made multiple arrests, and those involved will be brought to justice,” he added.
This announcement follows a string of reported coup attempts since Captain Traoré assumed power in 2022, among multiple attempts.
