Burkina Faso’s Security Minister Mahamadou Sana has disclosed that individuals residing in Côte d’Ivoire have been implicated in subversive activities aimed at destabilizing Burkina Faso.
In a televised address on Monday night, the minister specifically accused 14 individuals of conspiring against the state, including junta opponents, the leader of the January 2022 coup, two former ministers, and two journalists. He also mentioned the involvement of unidentified conspirators, believed to be Western intelligence officials.
According to authorities, a sophisticated three-phased plot was orchestrated by Burkinabé civilians and servicemen living abroad, who allegedly financed and trained armed groups to carry out attacks within Burkina Faso. The minister noted that both economic operators and civil society leaders were involved in these destabilization efforts.
The proposed plan’s first phase reportedly included a jihadi attack that resulted in the deaths of at least 100 people in central Burkina Faso last month. The subsequent phases aimed at attacks on critical targets, including the presidential palace, a military drone base, and an airport, with the final phase focusing on assaults near the Ivory Coast border.
However, Minister Sana stated that all phases of the plot have been thwarted. He revealed that several arrests were made in Niger, leading to the dismantling of a significant portion of the conspiracy.
In response to the threats, the government has initiated a special anti-terrorist operation to neutralize any remaining dangers. The authorities have also issued a warning that such destabilizing activities will not be tolerated, urging the families of the alleged plotters to denounce their actions and distance themselves from any subversive activities.