Burkina Faso thwarted an attempt to destabilize the nation, the country’s Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, said on Monday evening.
Below is the plan for the infiltration of several terrorist cells, according to the minister:
1.
The first cell, of 200 people, was to launch an offensive from August 30 to advance towards Ouagadougou and take control of the presidential palace of Kosyam;2.
Another unit, made up of heavily armed mercenaries, was to destroy the air defense systems around the capital;3.
A third, coming from the southern border, was ordered to sow chaos in the Bobo-Dioulasso area;4.
Other units were to storm key infrastructure, including the international airport, to cancel any external support.The plot was hatched by former senior officials and foreign powers, as well as civilians residing in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana.
The list of people involved was also revealed by Sana:
Former President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba;
Former ministers Djibril Bassole and Alpha Barry;
Former president of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Newton Ahmed Barry;
Former deputy mayor of Dori Aziz Diallo;
Military officers, including Commander Johanny Compaore and Colonel Zalla.
This plot was supported by Western powers, terrorist groups, and European mercenaries, the minister further stated.
The participants planned to exfiltrate their families from the country before the start of their operation, he said. Sana advised these families to denounce these plans and "dissuade them from continuing on this destructive path."