Burkinabe authorities announced on Monday evening that they had thwarted an attempted coup involving several military personnel and former members of the armed forces. The information was made public through a statement read on national television by the Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana.
According to the official statement, intelligence services intercepted communications between a Burkinabe soldier and leaders of armed groups. These communications contained sensitive information about the positions of the Defense and Security Forces (FDS), the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), as well as details on certain military operations.
The investigation identified Lieutenant Abdrahmane Barry, assigned to the military justice battalion, who was absent without leave and is being pursued for desertion. His surveillance revealed connections to other individuals, including Captain Jouani Compaoré, Sergeant Laoko Zerbo, Commander Frédéric Ouédraogo serving at the Integrated Operations Center, and Commander Constantin Kaboré, who is said to be on assignment abroad but is currently on the run in Ivory Coast.
The official document states that these individuals were involved in a destabilization project aimed at coordinating an armed attack against the presidency of Faso, initially planned for Wednesday, April 16, 2025. According to investigators, this action was to coincide with several attacks carried out by armed groups, aiming to overwhelm the security forces' response capabilities.
The presumed perpetrators also attempted to sow confusion within the forces by spreading false messages, mentioning the existence of "blacklists," and approaching traditional or religious leaders to encourage other soldiers to join their initiative. Captain René David Ouédraogo is mentioned as one of the officers who fled.
Additionally, some VDP members were reportedly solicited to negatively influence their colleagues, with some receiving funds for this purpose. However, according to the authorities, several spontaneous denunciations were made in the days leading up to the supposed action, which led to the arrest of several suspects in Ouagadougou, while others fled the country to Ivory Coast.
Minister Mahamadou Sana specified that the external coordination of the project is still active in Abidjan, with the goal of inciting unrest before June. He added that intelligence services were continuing their work and that other individuals were under surveillance.
The statement calls on the population to remain vigilant and encourages citizens to report any suspicious activity, while praising the cooperation of certain soldiers and VDP members in the case.
