Burkina Faso’s military government has announced the prevention of a “major coup plot” against junta chief Captain Ibrahim Traoré. Security Minister Mahamadou Sana said on television that a network of current and former soldiers, working with terrorist groups, planned to attack the presidential palace.
Sana detailed that the plotters aimed to “create absolute disorder and place the nation under the control of an international entity.” The conspirators allegedly tried to recruit military officers by using religious and traditional leaders.
Authorities believe the operation was orchestrated from Ivory Coast by two former army officers. The Ivorian government has yet to issue a statement. Several arrests have been made, including two officers.
Traoré, who took power in 2022 amid rampant jihadist violence, has survived several coup attempts. Despite new security alliances with Russia, much of Burkina Faso remains under insurgent control. The country recently left ECOWAS to join a new coalition with Mali and Niger
