Burkina Faso’s military government has claimed it foiled a coup attempt aimed at removing junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré. According to a BBC report, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana announced the development in a televised address on Monday.
Sana alleged that the plot involved both current and former military personnel, collaborating with terrorist groups. Their plan, he said, included storming the presidential palace on April 16, creating chaos, and installing a government backed by a foreign organization.
The group reportedly sought to influence public opinion by enlisting traditional and religious leaders to sway the military in favor of the coup.
Sana accused two exiled former army officers based in Ivory Coast of masterminding the plan. The Ivorian government has yet to respond to the accusations.
The announcement comes days after the arrest of several soldiers, including two officers, suspected of plotting to destabilize the regime, AFP reported.
This marks another in a series of alleged coup attempts against Traoré, who took power in 2022 amid public anger over widespread jihadist violence. Nearly 40% of the country remains outside government control.
Despite pivoting away from France and seeking closer ties with Russia for security support, Burkina Faso continues to grapple with frequent insurgent attacks.
The country, along with Mali and Niger, recently withdrew from the West African bloc ECOWAS to form a coalition of military-led governments, citing mutual security concerns and ideological alignment.
