Burkina Faso’s military government has announced it successfully foiled a sophisticated plot to assassinate President Ibrahim Traoré and destabilize the country.
In a late-night broadcast, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana accused the former military leader, Lt. Col. Paul Henri Damiba—who was ousted by Captain Traoré in a September 2022 coup—of masterminding the attempt.
The government alleges the plot was financed from neighboring Ivory Coast, claiming that intelligence services intercepted the operation in its final hours before it was set to unfold on Saturday, January 3rd.
Neither Ivory Coast nor Colonel Damiba has commented on the accusations.
According to the junta, the plan involved assassinating President Traoré at his residence and targeting other key military and civilian figures to plunge the nation into “total chaos”.
Authorities claim to have a video of the plotters discussing their plans and stated that several arrests have been made, with those involved to be brought to justice soon.
This is not the first time the government has reported foiling a coup attempt; since taking power, Captain Traoré’s government has announced thwarting several plots, often pointing to foreign interference.
The 37-year-old leader, who has cultivated a strong pan-Africanist image, continues to face these internal power struggles while also battling a persistent jihadist insurgency that controls a significant portion of the country.
