Burkina Faso: Junta says it prevented a coup

The junta in power claimed on April 21st night, to have thwarted an “unfolding conspiracy” to “sow total chaos” in the country, blaming Ivory Coast, says le Monde.

The affair was revealed on national television by Security Minister Mahamadou Sana.

“Thanks to the diligent work of the intelligence service, we discovered a conspiracy unfolding against our country whose ultimate goal was to sow total chaos,” he said.

“The manoeuvre purported the assault on April 16th on the presidency of Burkina Faso by a group of soldiers recruited by enemies of the nation,” he added, claiming that “the masterminds behind the operation are located in Ivory Coast”. Deserting Lieutenant Abdramane Barry and and commander Joanny Campaore were cited by the authorities.

Dozens of officers were arrested according Mahamadou Sana, including Captain Elysee Tassembedo, the commander of the 12th regiment of infantry and of the Armed force of the Northern region.

According to a security source, “he was arrested and taken to an unknown destination,” as he was about to attend a meeting of the Military Staff Committee.

Since Captain Ibrahim Traore seized power in September 2022, the regime has led a ruthless campaign against presumed opponents of the regime, with many arrested or kidnapped on suspicion of conspiracy.

In the last year, the crackdown has intensified in the ranks of the army. The junta has arrested several dozens military officers, including former Chief of Military Staff Evrard Somda, on counts of “conspiracy” and “attempting to destabilise republican institutions.”

The Authorities have repeatedly accused bordering Ivory Coast to host individuals “engaged in subversive activities”, according to the Burkinabe military.

In this vein, Captain Ibrahim Traore had claimed in July 2024 that an “operational centre to destabilise” Burkina Faso was running in Abidjan, the capital of Ivory Coast.

Since 2015, Burkina Faso is caught in a spiral of violence, with jihadist group vying for control in the broader Sahel region. NGO Acled has reported 26,000 deaths in the country, including civilians.

Le Monde, Maghrebi