Burkina Faso attack on Mansila army base fuels mutiny rumours

Major military setbacks or security failures are sensitive issues in Burkina Faso.

Capt Traoré’s predecessors, Lt Col Paul-Henri Damiba and Roch Marc Kabore, were ousted in September and January 2022, respectively, for failing to effectively deal with militant attacks.

Capt Traoré has repeatedly expressed a determination to eradicate the militants since he took power. Under his watch, the army launched several counter-terrorism operations in the most volatile areas, using modern weapons from Russia, Turkey and China.

However, the security situation has continued to deteriorate, opening the junta leader to the same criticism he once levelled against his predecessors.

Capt Traoré has largely kept a low profile since the Mansila attack.

It took him three days to make his first public appearance. RTB broadcast footage of him giving blood as part of a donation drive.

During the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha on 16 June, a statement from the junta leader was read out on RTB. Even this showed caution on the part of Capt Traoré, who usually appears live on RTB on such occasions.

Although the authorities have not spoken about the attacks specifically, they have denied the reports of military discontent.

“For some time now, rumours on social networks have been reporting mood swings and mutinies in certain military barracks.

“This unfounded and misleading information is the work of ill-intentioned individuals and small groups, with nefarious designs,” reads a military press release published on Tuesday.

“These allegations aim to sow doubt, to create psychosis in public opinion, and to demoralise the troops strongly engaged in the fight for the liberation of our people.”