Since taking office in September 2022, President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso has allegedly survived over 19 series of assassination attempts, demonstrating the country’s turbulent political landscape.
Several credible reports have outlined how Traoré had escaped from numerous failed murder plots and major incidents indicating that his leadership is under threat.
Despite official details remain scarce, we compiled some key reported assassination attempts on president Ibrahim Traoré below:
1. Ambush on Presidential Convoy (October 2024)
Since Ibrahim Traoré took power in 2022, both known and unknown assassins have attempted to eliminate him.
One of the most serious and failed assassination attempts on Ibrahim Traoré occurred when armed gunmen ambushed his convoy in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou.
According to report by National Daily, the assailants opened fire using heavy weaponry and explosives. While the president escaped unharmed, multiple members of his security team sustained injuries.
2. Foiled Plot During Africa Cup of Nations (January 2024)
Traoré and his team allegedly disrupted a planned assassination at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 2024.
According to intelligence sources, Burkina Faso’s security agencies intercepted the plan before it could be executed, preventing what could have been a high-profile attack on the president, as reported by African Initiative News Agency.
3. Thwarted Coup and Assassination Plot (December 2023)
Military leaders said they had effectively thwarted a coup attempt aimed at President Traoré.
Although specific details related the assassination were not made public, the incident raised national security concerns.
According to some local and foreign media outlets, President Traoré may have survived between 18 and 30 assassination attempts since coming to power.
4. $5 Million Offer To Traoré’s Guards As Part of An Assassination Plot (2025)
A shocking revelation has emerged in Burkina Faso’s political landscape, as reports indicate that a $5 million bribe was allegedly offered to members of President Ibrahim Traoré’s security guards to assassinate the head of state.
According to multiple intelligence sources and regional media reports, the assassination plot was uncovered in early 2025.
Investigations revealed that a foreign-backed network with interests in destabilizing the West African nation was behind the offer.
The guards involved reportedly refused the bribe and alerted national intelligence authorities.
5. Alleged Plot Linked to Former Leader Paul-Henri Damiba to Assassinate President Ibrahim Traoré (2026)
An alleged assassination plot linked to Paul-Henri Damiba was brought to light reports from BBC claim the former Burkina Faso leader attempted to kill Capt. Ibrahim Traore but its was thwarted.
The reports has it, Paul-Henri who had been overthrown by Traore in 2022 was arrested in Lome, Togo with his destabilization attempt in Burkina which is said to be allegedly funded by Cote D’Ivoire, a neighboring country.
He was he was then taken to the airport however as at now, his whereabouts and destination hasn’t been confirmed, Africa News also reports.
Damiba, who has been accused of participating in numerous coup and assassination plots, including his recent one, attempted to eliminate Traore on January 3, but was later foiled by junta officials.
A number of alleged conspirators have appeared on state TV, claiming to have acted on orders from Damiba, according to online sources.
Security officials say Damiba had planned a number of targeted assassinations of civilian and military figures, starting with Traoré.
Although concerning, these figures remain unverified due to the secrecy surrounding intelligence reports.
These killing plots points out the volatile political situation in Burkina Faso, where democratic stability is still under threat from terrorist threats, military dissent, and public unrest.
President Traoré’ government is negotiating one of the most perilous West African leadership terrain.
Rising dissatisfaction about deteriorating insecurity, corrupt government and ongoing terrorist assaults in Burkina Faso drove him and his crew to conduct the coup in that country.
Before the takeover, the country had been suffering from escalating jihadist violence linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS affiliates.
This led to almost 40% of the country was in support of then government because of civilians and soldiers dying regularly in attacks as well as many communities being displaced or isolated.
The coup overthrew Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who himself had taken power via coup in January 2022.
Traoré and others thought Damiba had failed to restore security, which was Damiba’s main justification for his own coup.
Soldiers were reportedly underequipped, poorly managed, and unsupported.
Morale in the army had declined, with growing dissatisfaction among junior officers like Traoré.
Public support for change was high—many citizens backed Traoré when the coup happened.
Traoré then went further to represent a new wave of Pan-African and nationalist sentiment across West Africa.
Many in Burkina Faso blamed France (the former colonial power) for continued instability and alleged interference.
Under Traoré, the government expelled French troops and diplomats and began seeking cooperation with new global allies like Russia.
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SOURCE: hellovybes.com
