Koudougou – Captain Ibrahim Traoré has recently attributed the 1987 execution of the Koudougou Airborne Intervention Battalion to the influence of imperialist forces. This statement came during his address to the regional forces in Koudougou, on the margins of the International Cotton and Textile Exhibition (SICOT).

According to Burkina Information Agency, Captain Traoré referred to the events of October 1987, when members of the Koudougou paratrooper commandos were executed by fellow Burkinabè soldiers. These soldiers were acting under the directives of the Popular Front led by Blaise Compaoré. Traoré described this action as an attempt by imperialist forces to quash the Burkinabè revolution. He emphasized that despite these efforts, the revolutionary spirit has endured and grown in Burkina Faso.

The incident in question followed the assassination of Thomas Sankara and 12 of his allies during a meeting at the Council of the Entente on October 15, 1987. Subsequently, on October 27, 1987, Compaoré and his supporters, after what appeared to be initial negotiations with Boukary Kaboré, known as the Lion and the commander of the Koudougou Airborne Intervention Battalion, ordered an assault on the battalion.

A soldier involved in the attack shared in the testimony to L’Événement that they were instructed by Colonel Gilbert Diendéré to launch the attack at 6 am and to consider any movement as hostile. This testimony further revealed that the arrested officers and non-commissioned officers were executed on orders.

President Traoré, in his discourse, also linked the current terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso to imperialist forces and local allies. He expressed his view that these elements, which he considers in opposition to the nation’s interests, are currently facing significant challenges.