Burkina Faso govt foils fresh coup plot against Traoré

Burkina Faso’s military authorities have announced that security agencies have foiled a fresh attempt to overthrow the country’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, marking the latest in a series of alleged plots since he took power.

The Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, revealed on Tuesday that the planned takeover was scheduled for late Saturday but was disrupted before it could be executed.

According to Sana, the operation was successfully stopped “thanks to the professionalism of the intelligence services.”

The ruling junta accused Paul-Henri Damiba, a former transitional president, of orchestrating the failed coup, according to a report by the BBC.

Damiba was himself removed from office in September 2022 by Traoré, less than a year after he ousted democratically elected president Roch Marc Christian Kaboré in a military takeover.

Defence officials disclosed that the alleged conspiracy involved a series of coordinated attacks, including planned assassinations of both senior military officers and prominent civilians.

Authorities said one of the main goals was to kill President Traoré, either by shooting him or by setting off explosives at his private residence.

“Our intelligence services intercepted this operation in the final hours. They had planned to assassinate the head of state and then strike other key institutions, including civilian personalities,” Sana stated.

The minister further alleged that the plot was funded from neighbouring **Côte d’Ivoire**.

He explained that investigators uncovered the scheme after obtaining a leaked video in which the suspected conspirators were allegedly seen discussing their plans.

According to Sana, the footage showed conversations about killing the president and launching attacks on other top military and civilian officials.

The security chief also claimed that Damiba, after allegedly receiving backing from Ivory Coast, intended to sabotage Burkina Faso’s drone launch facility to prevent external military assistance.

“We are carrying out ongoing investigations and have made several arrests. These individuals will be brought to justice soon,” he added.

The latest revelation adds to multiple reported coup plots against Traoré since he assumed leadership in 2022.

In April 2024, the government said it had uncovered another plan aimed at attacking the presidential palace and triggering unrest to draw international attention, with the ultimate goal of toppling the junta.

Similarly, in September, four military officers were arrested over a separate and unsuccessful attempt to seize power.