Burkina Faso: A foiled coup, the transition under tension

Burkinabe authorities have announced that they have foiled a new coup attempt, the second in less than a year. The conspiracy, according to the government, involved several military personnel who allegedly sought to overthrow the transitional regime established after the September 2022 coup. The suspects have been arrested, and investigations are underway to assess the extent of the plot.

Chronic instability

This failed coup comes amid deep political instability in Burkina Faso , where successive regimes have struggled to stabilize the country in the face of the growing jihadist threat. Since 2015, armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have been spreading terror, particularly in the northern and eastern regions of the country, killing thousands of civilians and displacing millions. This widespread insecurity has exacerbated the feeling of distrust towards the authorities, paving the way for the successive military coups that have shaken the country.

The transitional government weakened

The transitional regime, currently led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré , who himself came to power in a coup, has faced a series of crises since taking office. Despite promises to restore security and hold democratic elections, Traoré and his team have struggled to cope with the scale of the security challenges. Repeated attempts at overthrow reflect growing dissatisfaction within the military and the population.

A climate of mistrust and uncertainty

Burkina Faso, once a model of stability in West Africa, is sinking deeper and deeper into a cycle of instability. The atmosphere is marked by a climate of mistrust, where the authorities are struggling to rebuild trust with citizens. Social conditions are deteriorating, and international pressure is increasing for the country to return to a democratic path, despite multiple crises. However, each foiled or successful coup reinforces the feeling of a country on the brink of collapse.

The road to democracy increasingly unclear

The transitional government had initially promised to restore order before holding democratic elections, but with repeated coup attempts and the persistent terrorist threat, the path to political stability appears increasingly unclear. The main challenge for the authorities is to restore order while easing internal tensions, particularly within the army. Traoré and his team must now find ways to consolidate power while avoiding aggravating an already critical situation.

With this new coup attempt, the fragility of the transitional regime is once again exposed. Burkina Faso is at a crossroads, and the choices made in the coming months will be decisive for the future of the country.