Burkina Faso’s ruling military authorities say they have foiled what they described as a highly sophisticated coup plot aimed at assassinating the country’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, and destabilising key state institutions.
The announcement was made by Security Minister Mahamadou Sana during a national television broadcast, where he disclosed that intelligence services intercepted the operation at its final stage, just hours before it was allegedly set to be executed. According to Sana, the plot was designed to assassinate Traoré and trigger a wider campaign of coordinated attacks across the country.
“Our intelligence services intercepted a major plot in its advanced phase, aimed at assassinating the Head of State and plunging the country into chaos,” Sana said. He alleged that the conspirators planned to kill Traoré either at close range or by planting explosives at his residence shortly after 11 p.m. local time on Saturday, January 3.
The minister further claimed that investigators uncovered a leaked video in which the suspected plotters openly discussed their intentions. He said the conspirators planned to follow up the assassination attempt by attacking other senior military officers and civilian personalities, mobilising soldiers and civilian supporters, and striking strategic targets to paralyse the state.
Among the alleged targets, Sana said, was the country’s drone-launch base, which the plotters intended to disable in order to prevent any foreign intervention. He also claimed that the conspiracy was funded from a neighbouring country, though he did not name the state involved.
“The objective was clear: to eliminate the Head of State, neutralise strategic capacities, and open the way for coordinated attacks on institutions and personalities,” Sana stated during the broadcast.
He added that the security situation was now under control and that measures had been taken to neutralise the threat, while investigations continue to identify all those involved and their alleged sponsors. Authorities have not yet disclosed the number of suspects arrested or whether formal charges have been filed.
Sana urged the population to remain calm and vigilant, warning against attempts to exploit public trust. “We call on citizens not to be misled, out of naivety, into dangerous schemes that threaten the stability of our country,” he said.
Captain Traoré, who came to power following a military takeover in 2022, has survived several alleged plots and assassination attempts, according to the junta, as Burkina Faso continues to grapple with political instability and a prolonged security crisis linked to insurgent violence.
The government has not announced any immediate changes to security arrangements but said further updates would be provided as investigations progress.
