The military government in Burkina Faso has announced that it has thwarted yet another alleged plot aimed at removing the country’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

Speaking on Tuesday, the Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, disclosed that the planned coup, which was expected to be carried out late on Saturday, was neutralised “thanks to the professionalism of the intelligence services.”

The ruling junta fingered former transitional president, Paul-Henri Damiba, as the mastermind behind the scheme, the BBC reported.

Damiba himself was toppled in September 2022 by Traoré, barely eight months after he had seized power from democratically elected president Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.

According to the defence authorities, the alleged plot included coordinated assassinations targeting both military officers and civilian figures.

Officials said a major objective of the plan was to eliminate President Traoré, either through a direct shooting or by detonating explosives at his private residence.

“Our intelligence services intercepted this operation in the final hours. They had planned to assassinate the head of state and then strike other key institutions, including civilian personalities,” Sana stated.

He further claimed that the operation was financially supported from neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire.

Sana explained that security agencies uncovered the plan after obtaining a leaked video in which the suspected plotters were allegedly seen outlining their intentions.

He said the video showed discussions about killing the president and attacking other high-ranking military and civilian officials.

The minister also alleged that Damiba, after securing foreign backing from Ivory Coast, intended to disable Burkina Faso’s drone launch base to prevent external military intervention.

“We are carrying out ongoing investigations and have made several arrests. These individuals will be brought to justice soon,” he added.

This latest allegation joins a growing list of reported coup attempts against Traoré since he assumed power in 2022.

In April 2024, authorities said they uncovered another plot designed to attack the presidential palace and spark unrest that would attract international attention.

Government officials said the objective of that plan was likewise to overthrow the junta leader.

Similarly, in September, four military officers were arrested in connection with a separate, unsuccessful coup attempt.