OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO — The military government of Burkina Faso has announced the disruption of a “major plot” aimed at overthrowing junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré, with the nation’s army alleging that the conspirators were based in neighboring Ivory Coast.
Security Minister Mahamadou Sana stated that the attempted coup was orchestrated by a combination of active and former military personnel collaborating with “terrorist leaders.” He further disclosed on state television on Monday that the plan involved an attack on the presidential palace last week.
Sana asserted that the objective of the plot was to “sow total chaos, and place the country under the supervision of an international organisation.”
This announcement marks the latest in a series of claims regarding attempts to unseat Captain Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup amidst escalating militant violence. Burkina Faso, along with its Sahel neighbors, has been engaged in a protracted battle against armed jihadist groups, with insurgents estimated to control approximately 40% of the national territory.
Despite assurances from Captain Traoré’s military government to enhance security, including forging new security partnerships with Russia, the security situation remains precarious, with frequent attacks perpetrated by insurgents.
In this most recent alleged coup attempt, which reportedly occurred last week but whose details were only recently disclosed, Minister Sana stated that the plotters attempted to exploit Burkinabe religious and traditional leaders to sway army officers into supporting their plan.
“The manoeuvre was to culminate, according to the terrorist plotters’ plan, on Wednesday 16 April, 2025 in an assault on the presidency of (Burkina) Faso by a group of soldiers recruited by the nation’s enemies,” he stated.
He further alleged that “the brains outside the country are all located in Ivory Coast,” specifically naming two former army officers believed to be the key figures behind the plot.
Sana also claimed that “sensitive information was passed on to “terrorists” to increase attacks on the military and civilians and “incite a revolt against the authorities”.”
Last week, security sources speaking to the AFP news agency reported the arrest of several military personnel, including two officers, for allegedly plotting to “destabilise” the government.
While Ivorian authorities have yet to issue a comment on the accusations of hosting the plotters, the Burkinabe junta has frequently accused its southern neighbor of providing support to its exiled opponents.
This latest claim follows a similar announcement from Ouagadougou months prior, in November, stating that another “destabilisation” plot against the junta had been thwarted.
Burkina Faso, alongside two other military-led states – Mali and Niger – has recently severed ties with the regional West African bloc, Ecowas, to establish a new alliance. These nations have also cut diplomatic ties with former colonial power France and have instead aligned themselves with Russia.
