Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – In a significant development underscoring the ongoing political volatility in Burkina Faso, the country’s military government announced on September 27, 2023, that it had successfully thwarted a coup attempt aimed at toppling President Captain Ibrahim Traoré. The plot, involving high-ranking military officers, was intercepted by the nation’s intelligence and security services, leading to the arrest of four key conspirators and the pursuit of additional suspects.
The foiled coup marks the second such attempt since President Traoré seized power in a coup in September 2022, reflecting the persistent challenges facing the West African nation amid a backdrop of security crises and political unrest. 
Details of the Coup Attempt
According to statements from the transitional government, the coup plot was orchestrated by a network of serving and retired military personnel, along with civilians, who conspired to destabilize Burkina Faso’s institutions. Preliminary investigations revealed that the conspirators had contacted individuals in various military barracks across the country to organize a mutiny, with funding for the operation being sourced and transferred from external entities .
The military prosecutor’s office identified the arrested officers as Lieutenant Colonel Cheick Hamza Ouattara, commander of the gendarmerie’s special legion; Captain Christophe Maiga, deputy commander of the gendarmerie’s special intervention unit; Abdoul Aziz Aouoba, commander of the special forces; and Boubacar Keita, director general of the Higher Institute of Civil Protection Studies . Two additional officers implicated in the plot remain at large.
Government Response and Public Reaction
In the wake of the attempted coup, President Traoré addressed the nation, reaffirming his commitment to leading the country through its transitional period toward democratic governance. He expressed gratitude to the citizens for their vigilance and support, stating, “Together, we are committed to the liberation of our country. I assure you of my determination to bring the transition to a successful conclusion” . 
The government’s announcement came a day after pro-junta demonstrations in the capital, Ouagadougou, where hundreds of citizens marched in support of the transitional government. The junta praised the public’s “resolute and historic commitment to defending the Homeland and protecting it against all those who want to take us backwards into history” .
Context of Political Instability
Burkina Faso has experienced a series of coups in recent years, with the military citing the government’s failure to effectively combat Islamist insurgencies as a primary justification for seizing power. Since 2015, the country has been grappling with escalating attacks by extremist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, resulting in thousands of deaths and the displacement of over two million people .
President Traoré’s administration has pledged to hold elections by July 2024 to restore civilian rule. However, the persistent security challenges and internal dissent within the military pose significant obstacles to this timeline.
Regional Implications and International Relations
The attempted coup in Burkina Faso occurs amid a broader pattern of military takeovers in West Africa, including recent coups in Mali and Niger. In response to shared security threats, these three nations have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a mutual defense pact aimed at supporting each other against armed rebellions and external aggression .
Since assuming power, President Traoré has taken steps to distance Burkina Faso from its former colonial ruler, France, by ordering the withdrawal of French forces and suspending certain media outlets accused of discrediting the armed forces. These actions reflect a broader shift in the country’s foreign policy and a move toward asserting greater sovereignty.
The foiling of the recent coup attempt underscores the fragile state of Burkina Faso’s political landscape and the ongoing challenges faced by the transitional government. As the nation continues to navigate its path toward democratic governance amid security crises and internal divisions, the resilience of its institutions and the unity of its people remain critical to achieving lasting stability.
