Burkina Faso’s Transitional Govt Foils Attempted Coup, Arrests Suspects

Africa- Burkina Faso’s transitional government has reported that it successfully thwarted an “attempted coup d’état” on September 26, 2023, almost a year after Captain Ibrahim Traoré assumed power in a coup. In a televised statement, the government revealed that the plot was averted by the country’s intelligence and security services.

The government disclosed that those involved in the coup attempt, including officers, have been apprehended, with others still being pursued. The government condemned the conspirators for their intent to attack the nation’s institutions and disrupt the country’s stability.

On Tuesday evening, thousands of supporters of Captain Traoré took to the streets in the capital, Ouagadougou, in response to rumors of a coup circulating on social media.

The government expressed its commitment to uncovering all details of the coup plot and regretted the involvement of officers who strayed from their oath to protect the nation. It emphasized the importance of maintaining Burkina Faso’s sovereignty and liberating it from terrorist threats.

This incident comes one year after Captain Traoré’s takeover in 2022, citing inefficiency in countering insecurity as a key reason. Burkina Faso has faced nearly a decade of violent jihadist attacks, particularly in the “three borders” region shared with Niger and Mali.

The three countries recently formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to enhance collective defense and mutual assistance. Despite efforts to address the crisis, jihadist violence has claimed over 17,000 lives and displaced millions in Burkina Faso since 2015.

The government has reported some success in reclaiming areas from jihadist groups, with a significant number of displaced persons returning home.

However, attacks attributed to jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State persist in many parts of Burkina Faso.