Burkina Faso says it came frighteningly close to a major political shock this month. According to authorities in Ouagadougou, an alleged plan to assassinate the country’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, was stopped just hours before it was meant to unfold.
The accusation has already sent ripples across the region, especially because it drags a neighbouring state into the spotlight.
How the Plot Was Uncovered
The allegations were laid out by Burkina Faso’s Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, during a late-night televised address. He said intelligence services intercepted the plan at what he described as the “final stage,” on the night of January 3.
By that point, Sana claimed, the network behind the operation was already in position and ready to act.
According to him, the plot wasn’t the work of a single group. Instead, it allegedly involved a mix of civilians, members of the military, and foreign-based actors working together toward a common goal: removing the current leadership and throwing the state into chaos.
What the Attack Was Supposed to Look Like
Sana explained that the group considered two main options for targeting Captain Traoré. One was a direct armed assault.
The other, more covert approach involved planting explosives at his official residence. Either way, the intent, he said, was not just to kill the head of state but to spark a chain reaction.
The plan reportedly went further, with other high-ranking civil and military officials listed as targets. That detail suggests the goal was broader than an assassination—it pointed to an attempt to paralyse the country’s command structure in one decisive blow.
A Wider Plan to Undermine the Military
Beyond targeting individuals, the minister claimed the alleged conspirators wanted to weaken Burkina Faso’s military capacity.
He said there were plans to destroy a drone base ahead of a possible ground operation.
Drones have become a key part of Burkina Faso’s fight against jihadist groups, especially in remote areas, so disabling that capability would have had serious consequences.
This detail matters because Burkina Faso is already battling armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, and any disruption to its security apparatus could quickly spiral into wider instability.
Familiar Names and Serious Accusations
Perhaps the most explosive claim in Sana’s speech was the accusation against Burkina Faso’s former military ruler, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba.
Damiba was ousted in September 2022 by Traoré, following months of public frustration over insecurity and military setbacks.
Sana alleged that Damiba was the main architect of the plot, accusing him of designing the operation, securing funding, and coordinating recruits both inside and outside the country. Damiba has been living abroad since his removal from power.
Côte d’Ivoire Drawn Into the Storm
The controversy didn’t stop there. Burkina Faso also accused Côte d’Ivoire of backing the alleged plot financially. According to Sana, about 70 million CFA francs were set aside to support the operation. If proven, that would mark a serious escalation in regional tensions.
So far, neither Damiba nor the Ivorian government has publicly responded to the claims. Abidjan has previously denied similar accusations from Burkina Faso, insisting it does not interfere in its neighbour’s internal affairs.
Arrests and an Ongoing Investigation
Authorities say several suspects have already been detained. One of them is a businessman identified as Madi Sakandé, whom Sana claimed admitted to being in contact with Damiba. Investigators are now trying to map the full extent of the network, including any links outside the country.
The government insists the investigation is still active and that more arrests could follow as evidence is gathered.
A Country on Edge Since the 2022 Coup
This isn’t the first time Burkina Faso’s current leadership has spoken of assassination plots or destabilisation attempts. Since Captain Traoré seized power in 2022, his government has repeatedly warned of internal and external threats.
The broader context matters. Burkina Faso is part of a group of Sahelian states—alongside Mali and Niger—that have experienced military takeovers in recent years.
All three have distanced themselves from traditional allies like France and moved closer to new partners, including Russia. These shifts have strained diplomatic relations across West Africa.
Regional Tensions and the Bigger Picture
Relations between Burkina Faso and some neighbours have been tense for months, fuelled by border security concerns, accusations of interference, and disagreements over how to handle jihadist violence.
Any suggestion of cross-border involvement in an assassination plot only adds fuel to that fire.
For a region already grappling with coups, insurgency, and economic pressure, the stakes are high. Even unproven accusations can deepen mistrust and complicate cooperation at a time when it’s badly needed.
What’s Next?
The immediate question is whether Burkina Faso will present concrete evidence to back its claims. How Côte d’Ivoire responds—if it chooses to respond at all—will also shape what happens next.
Diplomatic channels may come under pressure, and regional bodies like ECOWAS could be drawn into the situation.
For now, Burkina Faso says it has avoided a worst-case scenario. But the episode underscores how fragile the political and security landscape remains, not just in Burkina Faso, but across much of West Africa.
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