Ouagadougou: After the thwarting of the coup attempt on January 3, 2026, several alleged accomplices publicly admitted their involvement and requested forgiveness from the people of Burkina Faso.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the first confession aired on RTB involved El Hadj Madi Sakande, a businessman identified as a significant civilian figure in the coup attempt. Sakande disclosed two meetings with former President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, in 2023 and 2025, during which Damiba expressed his intent to reclaim power through a coup and sought Sakande's assistance in organizing the effort.
Sakande described acting as a liaison between Damiba and individuals considered essential for undermining the current regime, including coordinating with a merchant in Ziniare and engaging in phone discussions with active military personnel expected to facilitate the coup's execution.
A crucial aspect of the confession involved the funding of the coup. Sakande alleged that 70 million CFA francs were procured in Ferkessedougou, Ivory Coast, with a portion distributed to intermediaries in Ouagadougou following specific instructions from abroad.
Police warrant officer Moumouni Sore, supporting Sakande's claims, admitted accompanying him on the trip and acknowledged receiving 500,000 CFA francs. Sore also mentioned promises of future professional benefits contingent upon the coup's success, highlighting the incentives offered to secure cooperation from participants.
El Hadj Ali Winega, a merchant in Ziniare, confessed to arranging Sakande's contact with a military officer close to the President, as part of a strategy to garner support for the coup.
Testimonies from Sergeant Salfo Yalweogo and Captain Prosper Couldiati shed light on the operational planning of the coup. Yalweogo, formerly with the Republican Guard, admitted to being tasked with recruiting armed personnel to ensure the coup's success. He disclosed direct and indirect communications with Damiba and preparations for the coup before being arrested on December 31, 2025, while in possession of weapons and ammunition.
Captain Prosper Couldiati confirmed involvement in the destabilization plot, reinforcing the military and strategic dimensions of the coup attempt. His testimony highlighted recruitment efforts within the armed forces and the backing of certain officers and non-commissioned officers for the coup plan.