Burkina Faso foils fresh assassination plot against Ibrahim Traoré

Burkina Faso’s security services have intercepted a fresh plot to assassinate Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the country’s military leader.

The country’s Security Minister, Mahamadou Sana, disclosed this on Tuesday, alleging that the plot was masterminded by the former leader, Paul Henri Damiba, who was ousted in September 2022.

“Our intelligence services intercepted this operation in its final stages. The plan was to assassinate the head of state and then carry out attacks on other strategic targets, including key institutions and civilian figures,” Sana said.

The minister further claimed that the operation was financed from neighbouring Ivory Coast.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Damiba nor Ivorian authorities had responded to the allegations.

Following the discovery of the alleged plot, Burkina Faso’s authorities have tightened security around government installations and stepped up border surveillance, particularly along the frontier with Ivory Coast.

The government said investigations are ongoing to identify all those involved.

Since assuming power, Captain Traoré, 37, has survived multiple alleged coup attempts amid persistent jihadist violence that has displaced millions of people across the country.

In April 2025, authorities said they had thwarted another coup plot involving both serving and former soldiers who were allegedly planning coordinated attacks on the presidential palace and other strategic locations.

Traoré came to power after overthrowing Damiba, who had himself ruled Burkina Faso for only a few months after seizing power in a January 2022 coup.

The latest development comes amid continued jihadist insurgency and a deepening humanitarian crisis in Burkina Faso.

Despite the security challenges, Traoré has retained support among sections of the population and gained recognition across parts of Africa, largely due to his outspoken criticism of Western influence and promotion of pan-Africanist ideals.