Burkina Faso foils assassination plot targeting Captain Traoré

Burkina Faso’s military government says it has disrupted a late-stage plan to assassinate junta leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré and destabilise state institutions.

Security Minister Mahamadou Sana announced the development during a late-night national broadcast, describing what he called a “sophisticated and coordinated” operation aimed at toppling the current leadership.

According to him, intelligence services uncovered the plot only hours before it was due to be executed.

Sana alleged that the scheme was masterminded by Lt Col Paul Henri Damiba, the former military ruler removed from power by Traoré in September 2022.

“Our intelligence services intercepted this operation in the final hours,” the minister said, adding that the plotters intended to kill the head of state before attacking “other key institutions, including civilian personalities.”

Authorities claim the plan involved assassinating Traoré either at close range or through explosives planted at his residence late on Saturday, January 3, shortly after 23:00 local time.

Following that, other senior military officers and prominent civilians were to be targeted as part of a broader effort to paralyse the state.

The security minister further alleged that the operation was financed from outside the country, pointing specifically to neighbouring Ivory Coast.

He claimed that about 70 million CFA francs were provided to support the plot and accused the organisers of seeking to disable Burkina Faso’s drone-launch base to prevent any rapid military response.

“They planned to neutralise our defence capabilities before any foreign intervention could take place,” Sana said.

A leaked video, according to the authorities, shows alleged conspirators openly discussing the assassination plan.

Several arrests have already been made, though officials have not disclosed how many suspects are in custody. “Investigations are ongoing, and all those involved will be brought to justice,” Sana told viewers, while urging the public “not to be misled into dangerous schemes.”

Neither Lt Col Damiba nor the Ivorian government has responded publicly to the accusations.

Capt Traoré, 37, has survived at least two previous coup attempts since seizing power and continues to face an escalating jihadist insurgency that has displaced millions.

Despite criticism from human rights groups and foreign observers who accuse his administration of authoritarian practices and suppressing dissent, Traoré retains significant domestic backing. His anti-Western rhetoric and pan-Africanist message have also earned him supporters beyond Burkina Faso.

Analysts say the latest allegations underscore persistent power struggles within the country’s military and risk deepening tensions in an already fragile region.

Damiba led Burkina Faso from January to September 2022 after overthrowing an elected government, before being ousted by Traoré in a counter-coup.