The military government in Burkina Faso says its loyalists in the army have thwarted another bid to overthrow junta leader Ibrahim Traore.
Burkinabe authorities announced that the foiled coup attempt involves several military personnel and former members of the armed forces. The information was made public in a statement read on
national television by the Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana.
According to the statement, intelligence services intercepted communications between a Burkinabé soldier and armed group leaders.
These communications contained sensitive information on the positions of the Defense and Security Forces, the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDPs), as well as details on certain military
operations.
The investigation led to the identification of Lieutenant Abdrahmane Barry, assigned to the military justice battalion, who was on unlawful absence and is being prosecuted for desertion.
His surveillance reportedly revealed links with other individuals, including Captain Jouani Compaore, Non-Commissioned Officer Laoko Zerbo, Commander Frederic Ouedraogo, serving at the Integrated Operations Center, and Commander Constantin Kabore, described as being on a training course
abroad but currently on the run in Côte d’Ivoire.
The official document indicates that these individuals were allegedly involved in a destabilisation campaign aimed at coordinating an armed action against the presidency, initially planned for
Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
According to investigators, the act was intended to coincide with several attacks carried out by armed groups, with the aim of overwhelming the security forces’ response capabilities.
It is also alleged that the supposed perpetrators also allegedly attempted to sow confusion within the forces by disseminating false messages, referring to the existence of “blacklists,” and approaching traditional or religious leaders to encourage other soldiers to join their initiative.
Captain René David Ouedraogo is named among the officers who fled.
Some VDPs were allegedly solicited to negatively influence their colleagues, some receiving funding for this purpose.
However, according to the authorities, several spontaneous denunciations were recorded in the days preceding the alleged date of the attack, leading to the arrest of several suspects in Ouagadougou,
while others fled the country for Côte d’Ivoire.
Minister Mahamadou Sana specified that external coordination of the project would still be active in Abidjan, with the aim of inciting unrest before June.
He added that the intelligence services were continuing their work and that other individuals were being placed under surveillance.
The statement called on the population to be vigilant and encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activity, while exhorting soldiers and VDPs to cooperate in the case.
HO/ac/Sf/fss/as/APA