By SpringnewsNG Media Limited | April 22, 2025

The government of Burkina Faso says it has thwarted a major coup attempt aimed at removing Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the country’s military leader. Officials allege that the plot was orchestrated by a network of former and active military personnel in collaboration with terrorist leaders and key operatives based in Ivory Coast.

Plot Allegedly Involved Armed Assault on Presidential Palace

Speaking on state television, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana announced that the foiled plan was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. According to Sana, the conspirators aimed to launch an armed attack on the presidential palace in Ouagadougou, using soldiers recruited and influenced by external forces seeking regime change.

“The operation was designed to cause national chaos and ultimately transfer control of the state to foreign interests,” Sana stated.

He added that religious and traditional leaders were to be used as intermediaries to sway members of the military against the current leadership.

Ivory Coast-Based Operatives Named as Alleged Masterminds

The government claims that two former military officers, currently residing in Ivory Coast, were the primary architects of the attempted coup. The plot also allegedly involved the leaking of classified military information to extremist groups, which authorities say led to increased attacks on both security forces and civilians.

Several military personnel, including two officers, have reportedly been arrested in connection with the attempted power grab. Ivory Coast has yet to respond publicly to the accusations.

A Pattern of Coup Allegations and Rising Instability

This marks the second time in under six months that the Burkinabè junta has reported disrupting a plan to overthrow Traoré, who came to power in 2022 amid escalating jihadist violence. The nation remains heavily affected by Islamist insurgency, with an estimated 40% of its territory under the control of armed extremist groups.

Despite efforts to boost security through new military strategies and foreign alliances—including a growing partnership with Russia—Burkina Faso continues to face near-daily militant assaults.

Shifting Regional Alliances

The alleged coup plot comes at a time of increasing political realignment in West Africa. Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, has distanced itself from traditional Western allies, severing ties with France and formally withdrawing from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The three military-led nations are instead pushing forward with plans to build a new regional alliance focused on mutual defense and economic cooperation.