Burkina Faso foils assassination attempt against Ibrahim Traore

Burkina Faso authorities say they have foiled a plot to assassinate the country’s military leader, Capt Ibrahim Traoré.

According to the security minister, Mahamadou Sana, the scheme was orchestrated by Lt Col Paul Henri Damiba, the former military ruler ousted by Traoré in September 2022.

Burkina Faso foils assassination attempt against Ibrahim Traore

The plan reportedly included killing Traoré and targeting other key military and civilian figures. Sana added that the operation had been funded from neighbouring Ivory Coast.

“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,” Sana said during a late-night broadcast.

Authorities say they uncovered a leaked video in which the plotters discussed carrying out the assassination—either at close range or by planting explosives at Traoré’s residence—on the night of 3 January. They allegedly intended to follow up by targeting other senior officials.

Sana alleged that Damiba had mobilised both soldiers and civilian supporters, secured foreign funding—reportedly 70 million CFA francs ($125,000; £92,000) from Ivory Coast—and planned to disable the country’s drone base before foreign forces could intervene.

Investigations are ongoing, and several arrests have been made, though the exact number of detainees has not been disclosed. “These individuals will be brought to justice soon,” Sana said, assuring citizens that the situation is under control and warning them against being drawn into dangerous schemes.

Since taking power, the 37-year-old Traoré has faced multiple coup attempts and continues to battle rising jihadist violence that has displaced millions.