BURKINA Faso’s military authorities have announced that they have foiled what they described as a sophisticated plot to assassinate the country’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, in a development that underscores the persistent instability gripping the West African nation.
The alleged plot, according to the junta, was masterminded by Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henri Damiba, the former military ruler who was overthrown by Traoré in September 2022. The revelation was made late Saturday night by the Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, during a national television broadcast.
Sana said intelligence agencies intercepted the operation at a critical stage, just hours before it was due to be executed.
“Our intelligence services intercepted this operation in the final hours. They had planned to assassinate the head of state and then attack other key institutions, including civilian personalities,” the minister said.
According to the authorities, the plotters intended to assassinate Traoré either at close range or by planting explosive devices at his official residence. The operation was allegedly scheduled to take place shortly after 11:00 p.m. local time on Saturday, January 3.
Security officials further alleged that after eliminating the head of state, the conspirators planned to target senior military officers and prominent civilian figures in a coordinated effort to destabilise the government.
Sana claimed that investigators uncovered a leaked video allegedly showing the plotters discussing operational details of the assassination and subsequent attacks. He added that the conspirators also planned to sabotage Burkina Faso’s drone-launch base in a bid to weaken the country’s defence capacity and prevent any rapid response or foreign intervention.
The junta further accused the plot’s sponsors of receiving foreign backing, alleging that the operation was partly financed from neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire. Sana claimed that up to 70 million CFA francs (about $125,000) had been channelled to support the plot.
There has been no official response from either Damiba or the Ivorian authorities regarding the allegations.
The security minister said several arrests had already been made as investigations continued, although he did not disclose the number of suspects detained.
“We are carrying out ongoing investigations and have made several arrests. These individuals will be brought to justice soon,” Sana said.
He insisted that the situation was under control and urged citizens to remain vigilant and resist being drawn into what he described as “dangerous schemes.”
Since seizing power in 2022, Captain Traoré has survived at least two reported coup attempts and has struggled to contain a growing jihadist insurgency that has displaced millions across the country. Despite international criticism and concerns about authoritarian governance, the 37-year-old leader enjoys strong domestic support and has gained prominence across Africa for his pan-Africanist rhetoric and vocal criticism of Western influence in the region.
However, critics—both inside and outside Burkina Faso—have accused the junta of suppressing dissent, citing reports of arbitrary arrests of military officers, political opponents and restrictions on press freedom.
The latest allegations are also likely to heighten diplomatic tensions in the region, as Burkina Faso’s authorities have previously accused Côte d’Ivoire of interfering in its internal affairs—claims that Abidjan has consistently denied.
Damiba, who ruled Burkina Faso from January to September 2022 after overthrowing an elected government, went into exile in neighbouring Togo following his ouster. At the time, he released a message on social media wishing Traoré success and calling for stability in the country.