**Burkina Faso's military has reported the prevention of a significant coup plot that targeted junta leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré, unveiling details suggesting the involvement of both current and former soldiers collaborating with terrorist groups.**
**Burkina Faso Army Claims Major Coup Attempt Thwarted**
**Burkina Faso Army Claims Major Coup Attempt Thwarted**
Government declares coup attempt aimed at destabilizing junta leader was unsuccessful, alleging involvement from neighboring Ivory Coast.
In a recent announcement, Burkina Faso's military government proclaimed the foiling of a "major plot" aimed at ousting the junta leader, Capt Ibrahim Traoré. Security Minister Mahamadou Sana disclosed on state television that alleged coup plotters were identified to be operating from neighboring Ivory Coast. The attempt was reportedly orchestrated by current and former military personnel in conjunction with terrorist leaders.
Sana outlined that the plotters intended to attack the presidential palace last week, with the overarching goal of instigating “total chaos” and putting the nation under the auspices of an international organization. The incident contributes to a series of reported attempts to dethrone Capt Traoré, who came to power in 2022 amidst a rise in militant activities.
Burkina Faso, alongside its Sahel counterparts, grapples with violent jihadist factions, with estimates suggesting that about 40% of the country falls under their influence. Despite the military government's assurances of improved security and aspirations for new partnerships with Russia, the environment remains precarious, marked by frequent insurgent assaults.
Details concerning the most recent coup attempt, which transpired last week but were disclosed only recently, revealed that the plotters attempted to enlist local religious and traditional leaders to gain support from army members. The operation was allegedly set to culminate in an assault on the presidential office on April 16, 2025, leveraging soldiers recruited by the nation’s adversaries, according to Sana.
The Security Minister indicated that the ringleaders were primarily situated in Ivory Coast, specifically naming two former military officers believed to be the masterminds of the coup attempt. They reportedly disseminated sensitive information to “terrorists,” aimed at increasing violent attacks on both military units and civilians while inciting rebellion against the existing authorities.
In light of the coup plot, several military individuals, including a pair of officers, were apprehended for their involvement in planning to destabilize the current government. The Ivorian government has refrained from commenting on the accusations of harboring the alleged plotters, but Burkina Faso's junta has frequently accused its southern neighbor of providing refuge to its exiled opponents.
This claim surfaces months after Burkina Faso announced it had successfully thwarted another plot aimed at destabilizing the junta last November. Alongside Mali and Niger, Burkina Faso has distanced itself from the West African regional bloc Ecowas to establish a new alliance, severing ties with former colonial power France in favor of aligning with Russia.
Sana outlined that the plotters intended to attack the presidential palace last week, with the overarching goal of instigating “total chaos” and putting the nation under the auspices of an international organization. The incident contributes to a series of reported attempts to dethrone Capt Traoré, who came to power in 2022 amidst a rise in militant activities.
Burkina Faso, alongside its Sahel counterparts, grapples with violent jihadist factions, with estimates suggesting that about 40% of the country falls under their influence. Despite the military government's assurances of improved security and aspirations for new partnerships with Russia, the environment remains precarious, marked by frequent insurgent assaults.
Details concerning the most recent coup attempt, which transpired last week but were disclosed only recently, revealed that the plotters attempted to enlist local religious and traditional leaders to gain support from army members. The operation was allegedly set to culminate in an assault on the presidential office on April 16, 2025, leveraging soldiers recruited by the nation’s adversaries, according to Sana.
The Security Minister indicated that the ringleaders were primarily situated in Ivory Coast, specifically naming two former military officers believed to be the masterminds of the coup attempt. They reportedly disseminated sensitive information to “terrorists,” aimed at increasing violent attacks on both military units and civilians while inciting rebellion against the existing authorities.
In light of the coup plot, several military individuals, including a pair of officers, were apprehended for their involvement in planning to destabilize the current government. The Ivorian government has refrained from commenting on the accusations of harboring the alleged plotters, but Burkina Faso's junta has frequently accused its southern neighbor of providing refuge to its exiled opponents.
This claim surfaces months after Burkina Faso announced it had successfully thwarted another plot aimed at destabilizing the junta last November. Alongside Mali and Niger, Burkina Faso has distanced itself from the West African regional bloc Ecowas to establish a new alliance, severing ties with former colonial power France in favor of aligning with Russia.
