Burkina Faso’s military government has claimed to have thwarted a coup plot aimed at overthrowing the ruling junta led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
The Burkina Faso army alleges that the conspirators were based in neighboring Ivory Coast, though details about the plotters’ identities and the specifics of their plans remain limited.
Burkina Faso’s Security Minister, Mahamadou Sana, spoke about the development, stating that the coup attempt was led by both current and former soldiers collaborating with “terrorist leaders.”
The goal of the plot was to attack the presidential palace last week, with the intention of “sowing total chaos” and placing the country under the supervision of an international organization.
This marks the latest in a series of alleged attempts to oust Traoré, who took power in September 2022 amid a surge in militant attacks across the region.
According to a BBC report, Sana explained that the plotters had attempted to enlist the support of Burkinabe religious and traditional leaders in order to sway army officers to back the coup.
The plan involved an assault on the presidency scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, 2025, with a group of soldiers recruited by Burkina Faso’s adversaries
Sana confirmed that the masterminds behind the plot were located outside the country, specifically in Ivory Coast.
Two former army officers were identified as key figures in the scheme.
He further revealed that “sensitive information” was allegedly provided to terrorists to intensify attacks on both military personnel and civilians, fueling unrest and inciting revolt against the government.
Burkina Faso’s battle with insecurity
Burkina Faso, like its Sahelian neighbours, has been grappling with armed jihadist groups, with an estimated 40% of the country currently under their control.
According to the 2024 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report, Burkina Faso ranked first, marking the first time in 13 years that a country other than Afghanistan or Iraq has held this position. In 2023, nearly 2,000 people were killed in 258 terrorist attacks, accounting for nearly a quarter of global terrorism-related deaths.
Although the number of attacks decreased by 17%, the number of deaths surged by 68%. This increase in violence has been a consistent trend since 2014, affecting not only Burkina Faso but also neighboring countries such as Mali and Niger.
The Captain Ibrahim Traoré led military junta has faced mounting challenges, with jihadist insurgencies in the Sahel region exacerbating insecurity, displacement, and instability.
Allegations of foreign involvement, such as the purported plot originating from Ivory Coast, further complicate the geopolitical landscape surrounding Burkina Faso.
Although both countries have not engaged in direct military confrontations, tensions have risen due to political and security issues.
A key point of friction is Burkina Faso’s shift from traditional ties with France to seeking support from Russia, a move that has not been well-received by Ivory Coast, which maintains closer relations with France and the West.
