Burkina Faso’s authorities say they have foiled an alleged assassination attempt against the country’s military ruler, Capt Ibrahim Traoré.
In a late-night national broadcast, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana accused Lt Col Paul Henri Damiba, the ex-leader overthrown by Traoré in September 2022, of masterminding the operation. Sana claimed the plan was detected only hours before it was due to be carried out.
“Our intelligence services intercepted this operation in the final hours. They had planned to assassinate the head of state and then strike other key institutions, including civilian personalities,” Sana said, adding that the plot was allegedly financed from neighbouring Ivory Coast.
Neither Damiba nor the Ivorian authorities have responded publicly to the allegations, BBC reported.
According to Sana, investigators obtained a leaked video in which the suspected plotters discussed multiple methods to kill the president. He said the footage showed conversations about attacking Traoré at close range or planting explosives at his residence shortly after 23:00 local time on Saturday, 3 January. The plan was then said to extend to senior military officers and prominent civilian figures.
The security minister further alleged that Damiba had rallied both soldiers and civilian supporters, secured foreign funding and prepared to sabotage Burkina Faso’s drone-launch base to delay any outside military response. Sana claimed that 70m CFA francs, about $125,000, had been delivered from Ivory Coast to finance the operation.
“We are carrying out ongoing investigations and have made several arrests. These individuals will be brought to justice soon,” he said on state television, while insisting the situation was under control. He also urged the public “not to be misled, out of naivety, into dangerous schemes”.
Officials have not disclosed how many people have been detained.
Since taking power, Capt Traoré has survived at least two reported coup attempts and continues to face a deepening security crisis driven by jihadist violence that has displaced millions. Despite mounting criticism of his governing style, the 37-year-old leader retains significant domestic support and has attracted attention across Africa for his pan-Africanist stance and outspoken criticism of Western influence.
Opponents at home and abroad have accused Traoré’s government of authoritarian practices, including suppressing dissent, arresting military officers without due process and restricting the media.
The latest allegations are also not the first time Burkina Faso’s ruling junta has blamed Ivory Coast for interfering in its internal affairs, a pattern that analysts say risks worsening already fragile regional relations.
Damiba, who led the country from January to September 2022 after overthrowing an elected government, fled to neighbouring Togo following his removal. At the time, he posted a message on social media wishing his successor success, a statement that now stands in sharp contrast to the accusations levelled against him.
