The spokesperson for the government of Burkina Faso has denounced what he referred to as an “umpteenth coup attempt at destabilising” the Sahelian nation.
He announced that a coup attempt had been thwarted, with alleged coup plotters now in custody.
Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, citing findings from preliminary investigations, disclosed that the planned coup was scheduled to occur on January 14. He revealed that a network comprising both retired and active military officers, along with civilians and activists, had conspired to destabilise Burkina Faso’s institutions.
The network’s purported aim was to influence citizens’ watch bodies to garner support for the ruling MPSR (Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration).
The official statement also claimed that foreign funding had been unblocked to facilitate the accused in executing their plan.
An undisclosed number of individuals were apprehended for questioning, and technical analyses were conducted.
The government spokesperson emphasised the vigilance of intelligence services and defence forces.
This marks the fourth coup attempt that authorities in Burkina Faso have claimed to have thwarted since Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power by force in September 2022.
Captain Traore has routinely advocated for a one and united Africa against western influence.
Since August 2020, Africa has witnessed eight coups, including notable instances in Gabon, Niger, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Guinea, and Mali.
- Niger: President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown on July 26, 2023. General Abdourahamane Tiani took control, and the military proposed a three-year transition period before returning power to civilians.
- Burkina Faso: Two coups occurred within 8 months. President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré was ousted in January 2022, and Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba assumed power. Damiba was later dismissed in September 2022, with Captain Ibrahim Traoré becoming the transitional president until elections in July 2024.
- Sudan: On October 25, 2021, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhane ousted civilian leaders, leading to a power struggle resulting in a war since April 15, 2023, with at least 5,000 casualties.
- Guinea: President Alpha Condé was overthrown on September 5, 2021. Colonel Mamady Doumbouya assumed the presidency, with the military pledging to return power to elected civilians by the end of 2024.
- Mali: Two coups occurred within 9 months. President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta was overthrown in August 2020, leading to a transitional government. Another coup in May 2021 saw Colonel Assimi Goïta become transitional president, with a commitment to return power to civilians after February 2024 elections.
The most recent coup occurred in Gabon last year, ousting Ali Bongo Ondimba.
