The military-led government of Burkina Faso has disclosed that it successfully averted a major coup attempt aimed at unseating Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the country’s junta leader. This development was revealed in a televised address by the Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, as reported by the BBC on Tuesday.
According to Sana, the foiled plot involved a coalition of active and retired military personnel allegedly collaborating with terrorist groups. The conspirators had planned to storm the presidential palace and execute their operation on April 16, with the ultimate goal of destabilizing the nation and installing a regime aligned with an international entity.
Sana also claimed that the plotters sought to manipulate public opinion through the influence of religious and traditional leaders, attempting to persuade serving officers to support the overthrow.
The security minister accused two exiled former army officers, reportedly based in Ivory Coast, of masterminding the plot. However, Ivorian authorities have yet to respond to the allegations.
Last week, multiple military personnel — including two officers — were arrested in connection with the alleged coup plan, according to AFP sources. This marks the latest in a series of reported attempts to challenge Traoré’s leadership since he assumed power in 2022 amid escalating jihadist violence.
Despite a strategic pivot away from France and toward Russia for security cooperation, Burkina Faso continues to battle frequent insurgent attacks, with nearly 40% of its territory remaining outside government control.
The country recently exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), along with Mali and Niger, forming a new alliance of military-led states to confront shared security concerns and ideological priorities.
