**Burkina Faso Military Claims to Have Thwarted Coup Attempt**

**The military government of Burkina Faso has announced the prevention of a significant coup attempt targeting its leader, with plotters allegedly collaborating with individuals in Ivory Coast.**

Burkina Faso's military administration recently declared the successful foiling of what it described as a "major plot" aimed at dethroning junta leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré. Security Minister Mahamadou Sana made this announcement via a televised address, claiming the plotters, comprised of both active and former military personnel, were colluding with "terrorist leaders" based in neighbouring Ivory Coast.

The alleged coup was intended to target the presidential palace last week, with the overarching goal of establishing chaos and placing Burkina Faso under international control, Sana explained. This development marks yet another instance of reported attempts to challenge the junta, which came to power in 2022 amid a surge in militant violence.

Burkina Faso, similar to other nations in the Sahel region, grapples with the threat of armed jihadist groups, with reports suggesting that approximately 40% of its territory is affected by their influence. The military government, under Capt Traoré, has sought support from Russia and made assurances of improved security; however, the militant situation remains critical, with numerous attacks affecting civilians and military entities alike.

Details regarding the latest coup attempt emerged recently, revealing that the conspirators had tried to enlist support from religious and traditional leaders to sway military personnel in their favor. Specifically, Sana noted that the plot was intended to culminate in an assault on the presidency scheduled for April 16, 2025, led by a faction of soldiers under the influence of adversaries of the state.

Sana explicitly pointed to two ex-army officers in Ivory Coast as key figures behind the plotting, alleging they had shared sensitive information with "terrorists" to further amplify violence against Burkina Faso’s military and provoke unrest against the ruling authorities.

Last week, reports surfaced of several military arrests—among them two officers—indicating conspiracy to destabilize the current government. As of now, there has been no official commentary from the Ivorian government regarding these claims. The Burkinabe junta has frequently accused its southern neighbor of harboring exiled opponents.

This announcement follows Burkina Faso’s previous assertion in November that it thwarted another "destabilization" attempt aimed at displacing the current military leadership. Alongside Mali and Niger, Burkina Faso has distanced itself from the regional bloc Ecowas, opting instead to cultivate ties with Russia, while renouncing connections with its former colonial authority, France.