By Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro
Burkina Faso’s military-led government announced on Monday that it had thwarted a “major plot” to overthrow junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
Authorities say the conspiracy was uncovered after officials intercepted communications between a senior Burkinabé military officer and terrorist leaders.
Speaking on state television, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana said the plot involved both current and former soldiers, as well as terrorists. He identified Captain René David Ouédraogo as one of the key figures involved. Ouédraogo is currently at large.
Sana revealed that the plan was to storm the presidential palace on April 16, 2025, and “sow total chaos” in order to place the country under the control of an international organization.
This marks the latest in a series of coup attempts since Traoré took power in a 2022 military takeover. His government has vowed to combat jihadist insurgents and has sought support from Russia, but violence continues—roughly 40% of the country remains under jihadist control.
The Sahel region continues to be a hotbed of terrorist activity, with Burkina Faso suffering the highest number of terrorism-related deaths in 2024—1,532 according to the 2025 Global Terrorism Index.
Sana also accused individuals based in Ivory Coast of instigating the plot. Ivorian authorities have yet to respond. The claim echoes similar allegations made by Burkina Faso in September 2024.
Just last week, several Burkinabé military personnel, including officers, were arrested for allegedly planning to destabilize the government.
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