Burkina Faso’s authorities say they have thwarted an alleged plot to assassinate the country’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, accusing his predecessor of orchestrating the plan.
In a late-night broadcast, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana said the operation was masterminded by Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henri Damiba, who was ousted by Traoré in September 2022. Sana claimed intelligence services intercepted the plan in its final stages, preventing what he described as a coordinated attempt to destabilise the country.
“Our intelligence services intercepted this operation in the final hours,” Sana said, adding that the plot involved assassinating the head of state before targeting other key military and civilian figures. He further alleged that the operation was financed from neighbouring Ivory Coast, an accusation that has drawn no response from either Damiba or Ivorian authorities.
According to the minister, investigators uncovered a leaked video in which the alleged plotters discussed plans to kill Traoré either at close range or by planting explosives at his residence shortly after 11 p.m. on Saturday, January 3. The group was also said to have planned attacks on other senior figures and to disable the country’s drone-launch base to prevent foreign intervention.
Sana claimed Damiba had mobilised soldiers and civilian supporters and secured foreign funding, including 70 million CFA francs (about $125,000) allegedly transferred from Ivory Coast. He said several arrests had already been made and that investigations were continuing.
“These individuals will be brought to justice,” Sana said, insisting the situation was under control and urging citizens not to be drawn into what he called “dangerous schemes.”
Captain Traoré, 37, has faced multiple alleged coup attempts since taking power and continues to battle a growing jihadist insurgency that has displaced millions. While critics accuse his government of authoritarian practices and suppressing dissent, Traoré retains strong domestic support and has gained wider attention for his pan-Africanist stance and criticism of Western influence.
Damiba, who ruled Burkina Faso from January to September 2022 after seizing power from an elected government, went into exile in Togo following his removal and previously said he wished his successor success.
