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Burkina Faso’s government says it has foiled a detailed plot to assassinate the country’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, accusing his predecessor of masterminding the plan with foreign backing. The announcement was made late at night by Security Minister Mahamadou Sana, who said intelligence services disrupted the operation just hours before it was due to be carried out.
According to the minister, the plot was organized by Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henri Damiba, the former military ruler who was removed from power in September 2022 after Traoré led a coup against him. Sana claimed the plan went beyond killing the head of state and included coordinated attacks on other key institutions and prominent military and civilian figures. He said the objective was to destabilize the country and seize control of power once again.
The authorities allege that the plotters planned to assassinate Traoré either through a close-range attack or by planting explosives at his residence late at night. After that, they were reportedly prepared to target senior officials to create chaos and weaken the state. Sana said the government obtained a leaked video in which the alleged conspirators openly discussed their plans, including timing and methods.
The security minister further accused the group of receiving financial support from neighboring Ivory Coast, claiming that about 70 million CFA francs were transferred to help fund the operation. He also alleged that the plotters intended to neutralize Burkina Faso’s drone-launch base to prevent any rapid military response or foreign intervention. Ivory Coast has not commented on the accusations, and there has been no public response from Damiba.
Sana said several arrests have already been made and investigations are ongoing. He did not give details on how many people were detained but assured the public that those involved would be prosecuted. He stressed that the situation was under control and urged citizens not to be drawn into what he described as dangerous and misleading schemes aimed at destabilizing the country.
Captain Traoré, who is 37 years old, has ruled Burkina Faso since taking power in 2022. His leadership has been marked by repeated security challenges, including rising attacks by jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The violence has displaced millions of people and placed enormous pressure on the state and the military. Since coming to power, Traoré has reportedly survived at least two coup attempts.
Despite these difficulties, Traoré remains popular among many Burkinabè citizens and has attracted attention across Africa for his strong pan-Africanist stance. He has frequently criticized Western influence in the region and promoted closer ties with non-Western partners. Supporters see him as a symbol of resistance to foreign interference, while critics argue that his rhetoric masks growing authoritarianism.
Human rights groups and political opponents have accused Traoré’s government of suppressing dissent, pointing to arrests of military officers, restrictions on media outlets, and limited space for political debate. The junta has rejected these claims, arguing that strict measures are necessary to protect national security during a period of instability.
The latest allegations are likely to increase tensions within Burkina Faso and across the region. Relations between the military government and Ivory Coast have already been strained by previous accusations of foreign interference. Observers warn that continued internal power struggles and mutual suspicion among neighboring states could further destabilize West Africa, which is already grappling with coups, insurgencies, and political uncertainty.
Paul Henri Damiba led Burkina Faso from January to September 2022 after overthrowing an elected government, before being removed by Traoré in another coup. Following his ouster, Damiba went into exile in Togo. At the time, he released a message on social media wishing his successor success, though the current government now accuses him of attempting to return to power by force.