The junta in Burkina Faso, which assumed power through a military coup, has declared the thwarting of a coup attempt by some army officers aimed at destabilizing the country. In a statement, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, spokesman for the regime, announced the discovery of a plot to attack the institutions of the Republic and create chaos.
“The dark intention of attacking the institutions of the Republic and plunging our country into chaos… investigations will help unmask the instigators of this plot,” the statement declared.
The junta emphasized its commitment to shedding light on the coup attempt and regretted that officers, sworn to defend their homeland, had engaged in such an undertaking. It assured the public that officers and other individuals involved in the destabilization attempt had been arrested, while others were actively being sought.
The military government expressed its disappointment that individuals, whose primary duty is to defend the nation, had deviated from their oath. It condemned the act, which it stated aimed to hinder the Burkinabe people’s march for sovereignty and liberation from terrorist threats.
According to the statement, an investigation was launched based on credible allegations about a plot against state security involving officers. It noted that four people had been detained, while two others were still at large.
Burkina Faso has experienced political turbulence, with two military coups in the past year. The instability is partly fueled by an insurgency from armed groups linked to al Qaeda and the Islamic State, affecting not only Burkina Faso but also neighboring countries in West Africa. Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the leader of the junta, seized power on September 30, 2022, marking the second coup in eight months.
The incident adds to the growing number of coups witnessed across Africa since 2020, highlighting the complex political landscape and security challenges faced by the continent.
