Burkina Faso Cancels Army Meeting Amid Coup Fears, Junta Plans Anti-West Protest

A scheduled meeting of several army officers in Burkina Faso on April 22 was abruptly postponed and later cancelled after attendees failed to show up, local media reported, deepening fears of instability and suspicion within the military ranks.

The development comes as tensions remain high following multiple reported assassination attempts on junta leader Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power from a civilian government.

In a sign of rising public anxiety, crowds including army personnel and relatives of missing civilians were seen gathering at the Mogho Naaba palace, a major traditional authority in the country.

To strengthen public backing and shift the narrative, the ruling junta has called for nationwide demonstrations on April 30 to denounce alleged “Western interference” in the country’s internal affairs. The protest announcement follows recent claims by U.S. General Michael Langley that Burkina Faso’s gold reserves were being diverted under the guise of national security.

The junta’s response appears aimed at rallying nationalist sentiment and deflecting external criticism amid growing scrutiny of its actions and internal discontent.