Authorities in Burkina Faso have thwarted a new assassination plot against Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the country’s transitional president, amid ongoing political tensions. The alleged conspiracy was uncovered late on Saturday, January 3, 2026, and disrupted before execution, according to official sources.
In a televised address, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana revealed that the plot aimed to violently overthrow the government, including targeted assassinations and attacks on strategic military and civilian sites. The main objective was to kill President Traoré, either directly or via explosives at his residence, before seizing control of key institutions.
The minister alleged that Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the former transitional president ousted by Traoré in 2022 and currently residing in Togo, orchestrated the plot by recruiting operatives, raising funds, and coordinating collaborators. Some of the funding was reportedly routed from neighboring Côte d’Ivoire. Sana commended the professionalism of Burkina Faso’s intelligence services in intercepting the operation at its final stages, assuring that interrogations and arrests are ongoing.
This January 2026 foiled plot adds to a series of multiple failed coups and assassination attempts against Traoré since he assumed power in September 2022. Previous incidents include attempts in April 2025, September 2023, and January 2024, all reportedly involving military personnel, civilians, and in some cases, elements linked to Islamist militants.
Analysts note that the repeated threats highlight persistent instability within Burkina Faso’s political landscape and underscore structural vulnerabilities in the state’s governance and security systems. While supporters of Traoré praise the effective intelligence operations, critics warn that publicizing such threats could consolidate military authority and suppress political opposition.
Traoré’s tenure continues to be defined by recurring coup threats, reflecting both internal fractures in the military and broader regional tensions across West Africa’s so-called “coup belt.” Authorities emphasize that transparent investigations and adherence to the rule of law will be crucial in maintaining domestic confidence and international credibility.
