Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – Tensions soared in Burkina Faso over the weekend following reports of a potential coup attempt against transitional President Ibrahim Traoré. The capital, Ouagadougou, and the city of Bobo-Dioulasso, experienced heightened military activity, with reports indicating increased alert levels at various military barracks.
Security sources and local media outlets reported troop deployments around Camp Baba-Si, a key military installation in Ouagadougou, fueling concerns about divisions within the armed forces. While authorities have yet to issue a comprehensive official statement, conflicting accounts are circulating through local and international media.
Some reports suggest arrests have been made within the military, with speculation focusing on officers accused of involvement in a coup plot. Conversely, outlets aligned with the current administration have accused former President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, currently in exile in Togo, of orchestrating the recent unrest. These accusations follow a series of trials and arrests of soldiers accused of plotting against the government since September, highlighting the ongoing power struggle between factions.
In response to the unfolding events, pro-government civil society groups, such as the “People’s Vigilance Movement,” mobilized in the streets to demonstrate their support for Traoré. Hundreds of citizens gathered near military sites in the capital, chanting slogans against the “recurring coups” that threaten the country’s stability. This public display appears to be an effort by the current regime to rally popular support and counteract any divisions within the military, showcasing the transitional president’s backing in the face of opposition.
Since assuming power in September 2022 through a military coup, President Traoré has faced a complex array of challenges. Armed groups operating in the north and east of the country continue to pose a significant threat to internal security, while recurring coup attempts within the military underscore the fragility of the existing power balance. Neighboring countries and regional organizations are closely monitoring the situation, amid concerns about the spread of coups in West Africa, a region that has witnessed a series of recent government overthrows.