Burkina Faso military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré
Burkina Faso’s military-led government has announced that it successfully thwarted what it described as a highly sophisticated coup plot aimed at assassinating the country’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
The disclosure was made by the Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, during a nationwide television broadcast, where he said intelligence and security services intercepted the operation at its final and most dangerous stage.
According to Sana, the alleged plot involved plans to assassinate the head of state before launching coordinated attacks on key state institutions and prominent civilian figures.
He further claimed that the conspiracy was financed from a neighbouring country, although no specific nation was named.
*Details of the alleged plot*
Sana revealed that authorities uncovered a leaked video in which the suspected plotters openly discussed their plans. In the footage, the conspirators allegedly spoke about killing Captain Traoré either at close range or by planting explosive devices at his residence.
He said the planned assassination was to be carried out shortly after 11 p.m. local time on Saturday, January 3.
Beyond the targeted killing, the Security Minister explained that the group intended to destabilize the country by attacking other senior military and civilian leaders, mobilising sympathetic soldiers and civilian supporters, and disabling Burkina Faso’s drone-launch base to prevent any form of foreign intervention.
Sana assured citizens that the situation was fully under control, stressing that security agencies had neutralised the threat before it could be executed.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and resist being drawn into subversive activities, warning citizens “not to be misled, out of naivety, into dangerous schemes.”
Burkina Faso has experienced repeated political instability in recent years, with the military authorities maintaining heightened security amid ongoing internal and regional security challenges.
