Authorities in Burkina Faso say they have thwarted a new coup attempt, underscoring ongoing political instability in the West African nation. Officials said the alleged plot was uncovered late on 3 January before it could be carried out, with security forces remaining on high alert. In a televised address, Security minister Mahamadou Sana said the plan involved coordinated efforts to destabilise the country through targeted assassinations of civilian and military leaders, including the head of state, Captain Ibrahim Traoré (see). Investigations are continuing and arrests have reportedly begun, with those implicated expected to face prosecution. The government praised intelligence services for preventing what it described as another attempt to destabilise the country. The alleged plot is the latest in a series of claims of attempts to remove Captain Traoré, who himself seized power in 2022.