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Burkina Faso’s military leadership has announced that it has successfully disrupted a significant conspiracy aimed at ousting junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré, citing involvement from individuals allegedly operating from neighboring Ivory Coast.
During a press conference, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana disclosed that the thwarted coup was orchestrated by both active and retired military personnel collaborating with “terrorist leaders.” The plotters intended to launch an assault on the presidential palace in the previous week.
Sana emphasized that the overarching goal of this conspiracy was to “instigate complete chaos and position the nation under the oversight of an international organization.” This disclosure aired on state television on Monday.
This incident marks the most recent in a series of reported coup attempts targeting the junta, which took power in 2022 amidst escalating militant violence in the region.
Like many nations in the Sahel, Burkina Faso continues to grapple with armed extremist groups, which are believed to control approximately 40% of its territory.
Despite promises from Captain Traoré’s military regime to enhance national security and forge new alliances, notably with Russia, the situation remains perilous with ongoing insurgent attacks.
In the recent coup attempt, specifics emerged detailing how the conspirators tried to engage Burkinabe religious and cultural leaders to sway military personnel into supporting their schemes. Sana explained that the plan was intended to culminate in an assault on the presidency on April 16, 2025, executed by soldiers allegedly enlisted by the country’s adversaries.
“The masterminds behind this plot are all based in Ivory Coast,” he stated, identifying two former army officials believed to be central figures in the conspiracy.
Additionally, he accused these plotters of transmitting sensitive intelligence to “terrorists” to exacerbate military and civilian attacks and ignite insurrection against the current government. Last week, several military personnel, including two officers, were reportedly detained for their involvement in these destabilization efforts.
As of now, Ivorian officials have not responded to the accusations regarding harboring the alleged plotters, although the Burkinabe junta has frequently accused its southern neighbor of offering support to its internal adversaries.
This announcement follows previous claims from Ouagadougou regarding the prevention of another destabilization plot against the junta in November. In addition, Burkina Faso, alongside Mali and Niger, has distanced itself from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) to form a new coalition, severing ties with its former colonial ruler, France, and pivoting towards partnerships with Russia.
There has been additional input gathered by BBC Monitoring.
Source
www.bbc.com