January 8, 2026
Authorities in Burkina Faso stated that they thwarted a coup attempt and plan to assassinate the country’s head of state, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, on 03 January. This is the second coup attempt against Captain Traoré in less than a year. Investigations into the attempt are ongoing, and security forces remain on high alert. The country’s security minister has alleged that the plot was planned by Lt. Col. Paul Henri Damiba, a military officer ousted by Captain Traoré in 2022, and funded by the neighbouring Ivory Coast. Lt Col Damiba and the Ivory Coast have not made any comments regarding the allegations.