Burkina Faso military junta said it has foiled an assassination attempt on its leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré.
According to Burkina Faso security minister Mahamadou Sana, the plot to kill Captain Traore was orchestrated by Lt Col Paul Henri Damiba, who was overthrown by Traore in 2022.
“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,” said Mahamadou Sana in a broadcast.
“We are carrying out ongoing investigations and have made several arrests. These individuals will be brought to justice soon,”
The Burkina Faso government said a video where the plotters were discussing how to eliminate Traore has been leaked. In the footage they allegedly spoke about how they intended to assassinate the president – either at close range or by planting explosives at his residence – just after 23:00 local time on Saturday 3 January.
Sana alleged that Damiba had mobilised both soldiers and civilian supporters, secured foreign funding – most significantly 70m CFA francs $125,000 delivered from Ivory Coast – and planned to knock out the country’s drone-launch base before foreign forces could intervene.
Since seizing power, Capt Traoré has faced at least two coup attempts and is also grappling with growing jihadist violence that has forced millions from their homes.
Despite these challenges and his authoritarian reputation, the 37-year-old military leader maintains strong popular support and has gained a following across the continent for his pan-Africanist vision and criticism of Western influence. With BBC reports
According to Burkina Faso security minister Mahamadou Sana, the plot to kill Captain Traore was orchestrated by Lt Col Paul Henri Damiba, who was overthrown by Traore in 2022.
“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,” said Mahamadou Sana in a broadcast.
“We are carrying out ongoing investigations and have made several arrests. These individuals will be brought to justice soon,”
The Burkina Faso government said a video where the plotters were discussing how to eliminate Traore has been leaked. In the footage they allegedly spoke about how they intended to assassinate the president – either at close range or by planting explosives at his residence – just after 23:00 local time on Saturday 3 January.
Sana alleged that Damiba had mobilised both soldiers and civilian supporters, secured foreign funding – most significantly 70m CFA francs $125,000 delivered from Ivory Coast – and planned to knock out the country’s drone-launch base before foreign forces could intervene.
Since seizing power, Capt Traoré has faced at least two coup attempts and is also grappling with growing jihadist violence that has forced millions from their homes.
Despite these challenges and his authoritarian reputation, the 37-year-old military leader maintains strong popular support and has gained a following across the continent for his pan-Africanist vision and criticism of Western influence. With BBC reports