Ouagadougou — A series of mutinies planned for September 2023 by high-ranking military officials and civilians was thwarted, as revealed by Burkina Faso’s Military Court. Commander Mahamadi Belém, formerly in charge of the Directorate of Financial Affairs at the National Intelligence Agency (ANR), was central to the conspiracy, having ordered vehicles for the operation before the plan was exposed.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Captain Ahmed Ferdinand Sountoura, the plot involved Warrant Officer Mahamadi Al-Bassiri Ousmane Sanfo, Commander Mahamady Belèm, and several other military and civilian personnel. Their aim was to destabilize the institutions of the Republic by inciting mutinies across multiple military barracks. Warrant Officer Sanfo, working alongside civilian Jules Bisyandé, was tasked with scouting barracks susceptible to their cause. The central grouping of the armies and the Sangoulé Lamizana camp were identified as potential targets, where meetings were held to gauge and recruit support from dissatisfied soldiers.
The scheme was unveiled to the Ouagadougou gendarmerie’s investigative unit on September 21, 2023, by a soldier approached by the conspirators. Subsequent judicial proceedings led to the arrest and indictment of Warrant Officer Sanfo on charges of military conspiracy, violation of instructions, and criminal association.
Commander Belèm and Jules Bisyandé, both currently fugitives, have had arrest warrants issued against them. The ongoing investigation seeks to fully dismantle the network and prevent further attempts against the state.