Burkina Faso says assassination plot against Capt Ibrahim Traoré was foiled

BBC
BBC
4h ago
Burkina Faso’s junta said intelligence services thwarted a plan to assassinate military leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré and attack other key institutions.
Burkina Faso says assassination plot against Capt Ibrahim Traoré was foiled
A What happened
Security minister Mahamadou Sana said intelligence services intercepted a plan to assassinate Capt Ibrahim Traoré and strike other key institutions, including civilian personalities. Sana said the plot was hatched by Lt Col Paul Henri Damiba, who was ousted by Traoré in September 2022, and alleged the plan was funded from Ivory Coast. Sana said authorities uncovered a leaked video of plotters discussing killing Traoré at close range or by planting explosives at his residence just after 23:00 local time on Saturday 3 January. Sana said several arrests were made and investigations were ongoing, and there was no comment from Damiba or Ivory Coast.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Authorities said the plot included multiple targets: Mahamadou Sana said the plan included assassinating Capt Traoré and striking other key institutions, including civilian personalities.

  • 2

    Officials alleged foreign funding: Mahamadou Sana alleged the plot was funded from Ivory Coast, including 70m CFA francs delivered from there.

  • 3

    Investigations and arrests were reported: Mahamadou Sana said investigations were ongoing and several arrests had been made, without stating how many.

Takeaways

Burkina Faso’s security minister said an assassination plot against Capt Ibrahim Traoré was intercepted, arrests were made, and investigations continued.

Topics

World & Politics International Affairs Conflicts Security & Defense Investigations

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