The Burkinabe government announced on Monday that it had thwarted a coup attempt involving several active and former military personnel.
In a statement read on national television by Security Minister Mahamadou Sana, authorities said intelligence services intercepted communications between a soldier and armed group leaders.
The leaked information included sensitive details on troop positions and planned operations. The main suspect, Lieutenant Abdrahmane Barry, who was already being prosecuted for desertion, was reportedly linked to a network of military collaborators aiming to overthrow the presidency on April 16, 2025.
The plot allegedly involved coordination with armed group attacks to overwhelm security forces and create confusion by spreading false messages and pressuring other soldiers to join the effort. Senior officers such as Captain Jouani Compaoré and Major Constantin Kaboré were implicated, with some suspects fleeing to Côte d’Ivoire.
Authorities said that funding was provided to influence Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), though several members reportedly alerted security services ahead of the planned action. Minister Sana warned that external coordination continues from Abidjan and urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.
© WAVN