Burkina Faso military gov’t accuses Ivory Coast of foiled coup plot against junta leader

Burkina Faso’s military government claims it has thwarted a coup plot aimed at toppling junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré,alleging foreign involvement and links to terrorism.

Security minister Mahamadou Sana said the plan,uncovered by intelligence services,involved current and former soldiers collaborating with terrorist groups. The coup attempt was scheduled for 16 April and allegedly aimed to storm the presidential palace,“sow total chaos,” and place the country under international supervision. The junta claims the plot was orchestrated from neighboring Ivory Coast,naming former officers Major Joanny Compaore and Lieutenant Abdramane Barry as key masterminds. Sana said sensitive information was leaked to terrorists to escalate attacks on civilians and soldiers,hoping to incite revolt.

This is the latest in a series of alleged plots against Traoré,who seized power in a 2022 coup. The junta has repeatedly accused Ivory Coast of harboring dissidents and undermining Burkinabe sovereignty. In July 2024,Traoré alleged that “a center of operations to destabilize” Burkina Faso was located in Abidjan,Ivory Coast’s largest city and economic hub. Burkina Faso remains gripped by insecurity,with jihadist groups controlling roughly 40% of its territory. The nation recorded the world’s highest terrorism death toll in 2023,according to the Global Terrorism Index. The coup plot heightens regional tensions as Burkina Faso shifts away from traditional alliances with France,aligning instead with Russia and other Sahelian military regimes. Ivorian authorities have yet to comment on these allegations.