The Ivorian government has firmly denied any links to alleged coupists in Burkina Faso after Abidjan was accused of harbouring the suspects.
Following Wednesday’s Council of Ministers, Ivorian government spokesman Amadou Coulibaly, denounced the allegations from Ouagadougou as unsubstantiated.
“As for Burkina’s accusation, I don’t know how many they’ve made. I’m still waiting for proof of the last one. Perhaps there will be others. I have no comment to make…sometimes, especially when you’re leading a country, you have to be serious,” the Minister of Communications said, when questioned about the accusations.
The minister’s statement came two days after the Burkinabe security minister Mahamadou Sana government claimed there was an abortive coup attempt involving several soldiers who fled to
Côte d’Ivoire.
Burkina Faso has cited external links with the plotters allegedly active in Abidjan.
The authorities in Abidjan categorically reject any involvement and claim Ivory Coast had repeatedly expressed desire to strengthen security cooperation with its neighbour.
In February, Ivorian Defense Minister Tene Birahima Ouattara stated that Côte d’Ivoire wanted to organise joint patrols with Burkina Faso to secure border areas against threat from insurgents.
“This is our wish because it would help solve a problem. This would allow Côte d’Ivoire to cleanse northern Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso of the south,” the minister declared, while lamenting the lack of implementation despite assurances from Ouagadougou.
He also recalled that the last joint operation between the two armies’ dates back to 2021.
Ivorian authorities have been emphasising the depth of historical, cultural, and human ties between the two countries to justify their stance of openness and dialogue.
“Côte d’Ivoire cannot fall out with Burkina Faso, and vice versa,” Minister Ouattara emphasised, stressing the need to maintain regional stability through consultation.
AC/fss/as/APA