Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – April 22, 2025
Burkina Faso’s military government announced on Tuesday that it had thwarted a “major plot” aimed at overthrowing junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup. The army alleged that the conspiracy was orchestrated by individuals based in neighboring Ivory Coast, escalating tensions between the two West African nations.
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In a statement broadcast on state television, the Burkinabe military claimed that intelligence operatives uncovered the plot, which involved “destabilizing actions” targeting the junta’s leadership. The army accused a network of plotters, including Burkinabe exiles and foreign collaborators, of planning attacks from Ivory Coast to topple Traoré’s regime. No specific evidence was presented, and the statement did not name the alleged conspirators.
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“Security forces have neutralized this attempt to undermine our sovereignty,” said Colonel Moussa Diallo, a spokesperson for the junta. “We remain vigilant and will take all necessary measures to protect the nation.”
The junta’s claims come amid Burkina Faso’s ongoing struggle with jihadist insurgencies linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, which have killed thousands and displaced over two million people. Traoré, who came to power promising to restore security, has faced criticism for failing to curb the violence, fueling discontent among some civilians and within the military.
Relations between Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast have been strained since Traoré’s junta expelled French forces and pivoted toward Russian military support. The accusation of a coup plot originating in Ivory Coast risks further souring ties, as Ouagadougou has previously accused Abidjan of harboring dissidents opposed to the junta.
Ivory Coast’s government has not yet responded to the allegations. However, regional analysts suggest the claims could be an attempt by Traoré’s regime to deflect domestic criticism and rally nationalist support. “These accusations are serious but vague,” said Dr. Awa Traoré, a political analyst based in Bamako. “Without concrete evidence, it’s hard to separate fact from political maneuvering.”
The junta has tightened security in Ouagadougou, with increased military patrols reported in the capital. Several arrests were made, according to security sources, though details about the detainees remain undisclosed.
Burkina Faso’s military government has repeatedly warned of foreign-backed conspiracies since Traoré’s coup, which ousted Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, himself a coup leader. The country’s political instability, coupled with its security crisis, has raised concerns about the junta’s ability to maintain control.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has suspended Burkina Faso’s membership due to the coup, urged restraint and called for dialogue to prevent regional escalation. “We are monitoring the situation closely,” an ECOWAS spokesperson said.
As Burkina Faso braces for potential fallout, the junta’s latest claims underscore the fragile political landscape in the Sahel, where military regimes in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso face internal dissent and external pressures. For now, Traoré’s government remains on high alert, vowing to crush any threats to its rule.
This is a developing story, and further updates will follow as more information becomes available.
