The Ivorian government has firmly denied allegations of involvement in a recently foiled coup attempt in neighbouring Burkina Faso, calling on Burkinabè authorities to present concrete evidence to support the claims. Speaking at a press briefing following the Council of Ministers meeting on April 23, government spokesman Amadou Coulibaly criticized what he described as “repeated and unfounded accusations” against Côte d’Ivoire, reaffirming the country’s commitment to regional peace and security cooperation.
The diplomatic tension escalated after Burkina Faso’s Security Minister, Mahamadou Sana, alleged during a televised address that some coup plotters had fled to Côte d’Ivoire, and that the attempted overthrow was coordinated from Abidjan.
In response, Coulibaly stated: “We reject these accusations categorically and ask for credible, verifiable evidence. Côte d’Ivoire has no interest in destabilizing any neighbour, least of all Burkina Faso, with whom we share deep historical, cultural, and human bonds.”
Security Cooperation and Prior Efforts
The Ivorian rebuttal follows months of security dialogue between the two West African nations. In February 2025, Ivorian Defence Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara had publicly supported the creation of joint border patrols to counter jihadist insurgents operating in the region. “Côte d’Ivoire cannot fall out with Burkina Faso, and vice versa,” Ouattara said at the time, stressing that dialogue and intelligence-sharing were critical in combating terrorism across their porous northern border.
The Sahel region, including parts of Burkina Faso, remains plagued by militant violence linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates. Both countries have faced growing security challenges, prompting increased cross-border cooperation under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) framework.
Rising Political Strains
While no formal evidence has been made public by Burkina Faso’s transitional military government, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, accusations of foreign interference have become more frequent in recent months. Analysts suggest these claims may be part of a broader attempt to consolidate domestic control amid rising pressure from opposition groups and ongoing insurgencies.
Meanwhile, Côte d’Ivoire’s diplomatic corps continues to press for de-escalation, encouraging fact-based dialogue and warning against politically motivated narratives that risk undermining regional unity.
What’s Next
No formal investigation has been announced by international bodies, but the African Union and ECOWAS are reportedly monitoring the situation closely. Both nations remain members of key regional security and economic pacts, and a breakdown in relations could have wider implications for cross-border trade, counterterrorism operations, and migration management in West Africa.
