The Assassination Attempt of Captain Ibrahim Traoré

Burkina Faso Reveals Details Behind Foiled Coup Attempt

Burkina Faso’s government has released its first official account of the recently thwarted coup attempt, outlining what authorities describe as a meticulously planned operation aimed at destabilizing the state.

According to Minister of Security Mahamadou Sana, the plotters intended to launch their operation on January 3rd, 2026, at 11 p.m. The plan allegedly began with an assassination attempt against the Head of State, either through close‑range attack or by placing explosives at his residence, followed by coordinated strikes on additional military and civilian figures.

Authorities say the conspirators also aimed to neutralize the country’s drone launch base before any external forces could intervene on the ground.

“For reasons of confidentiality and to avoid compromising the effectiveness of the investigations, we will only name the main individual involved,” Minister Sana stated. He identified Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba as the central figure, responsible for planning the operation, securing financial resources, and recruiting both civilian and military participants.

Investigators report that several funding streams originated outside the country, including a final transfer of roughly 70 million CFA francs (about $125,000) from Côte d’Ivoire.

Minister Sana emphasized that arrests and inquiries are ongoing and that the situation remains fully under control. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and not allow themselves to be manipulated by actors seeking to undermine national stability.

For the past three years, President Ibrahim Traoré has positioned Burkina Faso on a path of sovereignty and endogenous development rooted in a pan‑Africanist vision—an approach that has garnered significant popular support domestically and internationally. Government officials argue that this direction has drawn opposition from foreign interests and their local allies, who have been linked to multiple failed coup attempts in recent years.

The Minister concluded by noting that authorities intend to release video testimonies from certain individuals who have confessed to involvement in the plot.

The revelation that a modest sum, approximately $125,000, was used to help finance an operation of this magnitude has sparked public debate about the motivations and judgment of those involved. Many citizens have expressed relief that the attempt was intercepted and look forward to a transparent judicial process that will clarify the full extent of the conspiracy.

Here is the video released shortly after the Minister of Security detailed the coup attempt and announced that the plotters would publicly confess.

This man is a civilian, El Hadj Madi Sangandé. He was arrested and is now confessing. He is a merchant speaking in Mooré, with French subtitles added. Here is his statement:

My name is El Hadji Madi Sakandé. I am a merchant. In 2023, I met former President DAMIBA. We spoke again in 2025, and during that second meeting he told me about plans to carry out a coup to retake power. He asked how I could help.

I then went to see El Hadji Wimèga Ali, a merchant in Ziniaré. He told me his grandson Salif, who works with the President, was also involved in destabilization efforts. He said Salif’s position made the plan achievable.

Wimèga gave Salif my contact. Salif called, we met, and he said he was ready. I told him to call DAMIBA directly. I then called DAMIBA and handed Salif the phone.

DAMIBA asked what he could do from his position. Salif said he could kill President Ibrahim Traoré, since he is with him every day.

They spoke again later. Meanwhile, I traveled to Côte d’Ivoire to collect 70 million CFA francs ($125k).

When I returned, DAMIBA told me two women and a man would come to collect the money at the TSR bus station. He said the women would signal to me on scooters.

At the station, a woman waved to me; I gave her part of the money. Another woman arrived, and I gave her more. They pointed to a man leaning on a 4x4; he signaled to me and took the rest. In total, I handed over 40 million CFA francs ($71k).

Afterward, I returned to Wimèga’s home to discuss the agreement and what I owed him. That’s when we were arrested.

While we waited, Wimèga’s grandson arrived with a vehicle full of weapons. He asked me to look, but I refused because I’m not a soldier. As we were talking, we were taken away.

We ask President Ibrahim Traoré for forgiveness. We regret being drawn into this. No one is perfect. We ask forgiveness from the Burkinabè people.

I also hadn’t explained how I handled the money. DAMIBA told me to pack it into boxes. I prepared three boxes: two with 15 million CFA francs ($26k each) and one with 10 million ($17k). I gave the two boxes to the women and the last to the soldier. We didn’t exchange a word.