Burkina Faso Authorities Foil Alleged Plot to Assassinate Military Leader Ibrahim Traoré
By Queen Madaki
Burkina Faso’s military authorities have announced that they have thwarted an alleged plot to assassinate the country’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
The disclosure was made late Tuesday by the Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, who said intelligence agencies uncovered the plan shortly before it was to be executed.
Former Leader Named as Alleged Mastermind
According to Sana, the plot was allegedly orchestrated by Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba, the former military ruler who was ousted by Captain Traoré in September 2022.
“Our intelligence services intercepted this operation in the final hours,” Sana said during a national broadcast. “The plan was to assassinate the head of state and subsequently attack other strategic institutions and civilian figures.”
The government further alleged that the plot received foreign backing, with funding said to have originated from neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire. No official response has been issued by either Lt Col Damiba or the Ivorian authorities.
Details of the Alleged Assassination Plan
Security officials said investigators recovered a leaked video allegedly showing the suspects discussing how the assassination would be carried out.
The options reportedly considered included a close-range attack or planting explosive devices at the president’s residence. The operation was allegedly scheduled to take place shortly after 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 3.
Authorities also claimed the plotters intended to target senior military officers and prominent civilian figures after the initial attack.
Claims of External Funding and Arrests
The security minister alleged that about 70 million CFA francs were mobilised to finance the operation and that plans were in place to disable the country’s drone-launch base to delay external intervention.
Several suspects have reportedly been arrested, although officials did not disclose the number. Investigations, the government said, are ongoing.
Security Concerns and Political Tensions
Captain Traoré, who came to power through a military takeover, has faced multiple coup attempts while also battling escalating jihadist violence across the country.
Despite criticism from local and international observers over alleged authoritarian practices, the 37-year-old leader retains strong domestic support and has gained regional attention for his pan-Africanist stance and criticism of Western influence in African politics.
Burkina Faso’s military government has previously accused foreign actors of attempting to interfere in its internal affairs. Lt Col Damiba, who ruled from January to September 2022 after overthrowing an elected government, later went into exile in Togo.
Following his removal from office, Damiba publicly stated that he wished his successor well.
