The Burkinabe government has taken drastic action against its Ambassador to Ghana, Sini Pierre Sanou, dismissing him due to allegations of involvement in a plot to overthrow Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s administration.
This development comes after the ruling military junta uncovered a conspiracy involving military and civilian groups in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, aimed at destabilizing the country.
Security Minister Mahamdou Sana confirmed the foiled plot in an official statement on September 23, 2024, revealing external actors and foreign intelligence agencies were involved. Sana emphasized that individuals in Côte d’Ivoire, backed by Western powers, were behind the subversion effort.
The attempted coup is linked to the deadly August 24, 2024, attack by Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group. The attack in northern Burkina Faso’s Barsalogho Department resulted in hundreds of deaths, marking one of the country’s deadliest incidents.
Authorities suspect the attack was part of a broader effort to destabilize the junta, which has struggled with extremist groups in northern regions. This volatile landscape led to the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR) seizing power in January 2022.
The MPSR ousted President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, whose administration failed to curb the growing jihadist insurgency. However, the MPSR’s original leader, Captain Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, was also deposed in a subsequent coup in September 2022.
Captain Ibrahim Traoré now leads the junta, which has suspended the constitution, dissolved parliament, and imposed a nationwide curfew to restore stability. The recent exposure of an attempted coup, allegedly backed by international actors, mirrors the ongoing challenges faced by the junta.
Burkina Faso’s security apparatus has been weakened by internal dissensions and restructuring issues since the fall of Blaise Compaoré’s regime in 2014. The country’s military faces numerous challenges, including inadequate equipment and a top-heavy hierarchy.
The junta’s ability to address these structural weaknesses remains uncertain. Experts warn of potential further disruption due to fragmentation within the security and defense forces.
Despite these challenges, the Burkinabe government remains committed to combating terrorism and restoring stability. The country’s international relations, particularly with neighboring countries and Western powers, will be crucial in addressing these challenges.
The situation in Burkina Faso highlights the complex security dynamics in the Sahel region, where multiple countries face similar struggles against extremist groups. Effective counter-terrorism strategies and regional cooperation will be essential in restoring stability to the region.
