Tensions Escalate in Burkina Faso After Foiled Coup Attempt

A week after a failed coup in Burkina Faso, the atmosphere in Ouagadougou remains charged, especially within the military ranks.

Local media reports indicate that a meeting scheduled for April 22 at the general staff headquarters, which was supposed to involve several army officers, was first delayed and eventually called off when the invited officers failed to show up.

Radio France Internationale (RFI) has reported large gatherings at the Mogho Naaba Palace, the traditional authority’s seat, with army personnel and families of missing civilians adding to the mounting tensions across the West African nation.

On April 24, a cabinet meeting took place at the presidential palace under heavy security, with sniffer dogs and helicopters deployed. Several military camps were put on high alert, and military vehicles were seen stationed outside the General Baba Sy camp in the capital’s southern district.

In response, Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s government has called for mass demonstrations on April 30 to support the regime and denounce what it calls “Western interference,” particularly in light of accusations made by U.S. General Michael Langley about Burkina Faso’s gold reserves allegedly being used to finance the nation’s security forces.

On April 22, Burkina Faso’s military government revealed it had thwarted a “major plot” to overthrow the junta. Authorities claim the plot was uncovered after intercepting communications between a senior military officer and terrorist leaders.

Security Minister Mahamadou Sana announced that the conspirators were a mix of current and former soldiers, as well as terrorist collaborators, with Captain René David Ouédraogo identified as one of the key figures in the scheme. Ouédraogo remains at large.