BURKINA FASO FOILS COUP ATTEMPT

Ouagadougou, January 7, 2026

Burkina Faso’s military junta announced on Tuesday that it had foiled what it described as a sophisticated plot to assassinate the country’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

In a national television address, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana said intelligence services intercepted the operation in its final stages, preventing an attack that was allegedly planned for late Saturday night, January 3.

According to Sana, the conspirators intended to assassinate the head of state before launching coordinated attacks on other key institutions and civilian personalities. He alleged that the plot was financed from a neighbouring country, though no specific state was named.

The security minister revealed that authorities had uncovered a leaked video in which the plotters discussed their plans, including killing Captain Traoré either at close range or by planting explosives at his residence shortly after 11 p.m. local time.
Sana said the suspects also planned to target other senior military and civilian figures, mobilise soldiers and civilian supporters, and disable the country’s drone-launch base in an effort to prevent any foreign intervention.

He added that the situation was now under control and urged citizens to remain vigilant. “We call on the population not to be misled, out of naivety, into dangerous schemes,” Sana said.
Burkina Faso has experienced repeated political instability in recent years, with the current military leadership citing security threats and internal conspiracies as ongoing challenges to national stability.