Burkina Faso Foils Assassination Plot Against Military Leader Ibrahim Traoré

File photo of Ibrahim Traoré and his security guards 

Awareness.com.ng has gathered that in a dramatic turn of events, Burkina Faso's security forces have thwarted an alleged plot to assassinate President Ibrahim Traoré, the country's military leader.

The foiled plot, which was set to unfold on the night of January 3, involved a complex web of civil, military, and foreign actors, according to Mahamadou Sana, the country's security minister.

Speaking in a late-night broadcast on Tuesday, Sana revealed that the alleged assassination plot was in its final stages when it was intercepted by the country's intelligence services. "They had planned to assassinate the head of state and then strike other key institutions, including civilian personalities," Sana said, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

The security minister disclosed that the attackers had considered two elimination options - a direct attack or installing explosives at Traoré's home. Other leading civil and military authorities were also reportedly on the list of targets, underscoring the far-reaching ambitions of the plotters.

Sana accused Paul-Henri Damiba, a former military president who was ousted by Traoré in a coup in 2022, as the main instigator of the operation. According to the minister, Damiba was allegedly responsible for developing the plan, mobilising funding, and recruiting accomplices. Neighbouring Côte d'Ivoire was also implicated, with Sana pointing to the country as the financiers of the alleged plot. The minister claimed that 70 million FCFA was earmarked to finance the operation.

The alleged plot's scope extended beyond the assassination of Traoré, with plans to destroy a drone base and pave the way for a possible ground military intervention. The Burkina Faso government has arrested several individuals, including Madi Sakandé, a businessman who admitted to having been in contact with Damiba. Investigations are ongoing to identify all members of the assassination plot network.

A History of Unrest in Burkina Faso

This foiled plot comes against a backdrop of instability in Burkina Faso, where Traoré seized power in a coup in 2022, ousting democratically-elected President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. The country has been grappling with a surge in jihadist violence, which has displaced millions and raised humanitarian concerns.

International Response Awaited

As news of the foiled plot spreads, international attention is focused on the West African nation. Neither Damiba nor Côte d'Ivoire have reacted to the allegations, leaving many questions unanswered. The international community will be watching closely to see how Burkina Faso navigates this latest crisis and what implications it may have for regional stability.

The situation remains fluid, and developments are expected as investigations continue.

Do you find this news informative? If yes, kindly share it with your social media through the social media icons below: