Burkina Faso’s military junta has announced that it has foiled a sophisticated plot to assassinate its leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, with accusations pointing to involvement from neighbouring Ivory Coast.
In a late-night broadcast on national television, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana revealed that the plan was allegedly orchestrated by Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henri Damiba, the former military officer who was ousted by Traoré in a coup in September 2022.
“Our intelligence services intercepted this operation in the final hours. They had planned to assassinate the head of state and then strike other key institutions, including civilian personalities,” Sana stated, adding that the plot had been funded from Ivory Coast.
There has been no immediate response from either Damiba or the Ivorian government regarding the allegations.
Since taking power, the 37-year-old Traoré has navigated multiple challenges, including at least two previous coup attempts and escalating jihadist violence that has displaced millions of people. Despite criticisms of authoritarianism, he enjoys significant popular support for his pan-Africanist stance and outspoken criticism of Western influence.
According to Sana, the plot was uncovered through a leaked video in which the conspirators discussed their intentions. The footage allegedly showed them planning to kill the president either at close range or by planting explosives at his residence, with the attack scheduled just after 23:00 local time on Saturday, January 3.
The plotters reportedly intended to follow the assassination by targeting other senior military and civilian figures. Sana claimed that Damiba had mobilized both soldiers and civilian supporters, secured foreign funding—including 70 million CFA francs (approximately $125,000 or £92,000) delivered from Ivory Coast—and aimed to disable the country’s drone-launch base to prevent foreign intervention.
“We are carrying out ongoing investigations and have made several arrests. These individuals will be brought to justice soon,” the minister said, emphasizing that the situation is now under control. He urged citizens “not to be misled, out of naivety, into dangerous schemes.”
The number of arrests remains unclear.
Critics, both within Burkina Faso and internationally, have accused Traoré’s regime of suppressing dissent through arbitrary arrests of military officers and media restrictions.
This is not the first instance of the junta accusing Ivory Coast of meddling in its internal affairs, a claim that could further strain regional relations amid ongoing power struggles.
Damiba, who briefly served as Burkina Faso’s leader from January to September 2022 after overthrowing an elected government, has been a recurring figure in the country’s turbulent political landscape.