Burkina Faso’s security authorities have commenced investigation into an alleged attempt to destabilise the country. It uncovered the involvement of a former head of state – Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, with intelligence services pointing to an externally coordinated network.
In a televised briefing on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, the Minister of Security, Mahamoudou Sana, announced that investigators had dismantled a plan uncovered ahead of its scheduled execution on 3 January.
The inquiry, he said, revealed preparations for an attack targeting President Ibrahim Traoré, alongside broader efforts to weaken national defence capabilities.
According to Mr Sana, the operation under investigation was designed to begin with an attempt on the president’s life, either through a close-range attack or by targeting his residence.
Investigators also identified plans to disrupt Burkina Faso’s drone infrastructure and facilitate a subsequent ground intervention involving external elements.
Mr Damiba, who has been living in exile in Togo since being removed from power in September 2022, was the central figure allegedly coordinating the operation. He is accused of directing the planning process, securing financial backing, and recruiting both civilian and military participants.
As part of the investigation, authorities claim to have traced part of the funding to sources outside Burkina Faso. Mr Sana stated that transactions linked to Côte d’Ivoire included a transfer of approximately 70 million CFA francs, which investigators believe was intended to support the alleged operation.
