So, what actually happened with the 2015 Burkina Faso coup attempt? Essentially, it was a short-lived but intense power grab by elements of the presidential guard, the RSP, in September 2015. They kidnapped the interim president and prime minister, aiming to stop upcoming elections and reverse the transition process that had begun after the popular uprising in 2014. It was a dramatic eleven days that ultimately failed due to a combination of internal and external pressure, showing the strength of the public’s desire for democratic change.
The Lingering Shadow of Blaise Compaoré
To truly understand the 2015 coup attempt, we need to rewind a bit and look at the political landscape of Burkina Faso leading up to it. For 27 years, the country was ruled by President Blaise Compaoré, who came to power in a coup in 1987. His long tenure was characterised by a firm grip on power, often achieved through a network of loyalists, particularly within the military.
Compaoré’s Grip and the RSP
Compaoré’s most crucial instrument of control was the Régiment de Sécurité Présidentielle (RSP), the presidential guard. This elite unit, estimated to be around 1,300 strong, was better trained and equipped than the regular army. They were fiercely loyal to Compaoré, having benefited significantly from his patronage. Many of its members, including its commander General Gilbert Diendéré, had close personal ties to the former president. The RSP was, in essence, a state within a state, operating with a degree of autonomy and wielding considerable influence. Their presence was a constant reminder of Compaoré’s power, and their loyalty was seen as the ultimate guarantor of his rule.
The 2014 Uprising and its Aftermath
The cracks in Compaoré’s edifice began to show in 2014 when he attempted to amend the constitution to allow himself to run for another term. This move ignited widespread public anger, leading to massive protests across the country in October 2014. These protests, fueled by a desire for democratic change and an end to Compaoré’s long reign, quickly escalated. The public’s resolve, coupled with a lack of decisive action from the military to suppress the uprising, ultimately forced Compaoré to resign and flee the country on 31 October 2014.
His departure left a power vacuum. Initially, the military, led by Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida (who was second-in-command of the RSP), took control. However, intense international pressure and domestic demands for a civilian-led transition quickly led to the establishment of an interim government. Michel Kafando, a former foreign minister and diplomat, was appointed interim president, and Zida became interim prime minister. This transitional government was tasked with preparing the country for democratic elections by the end of 2015, a crucial step towards establishing a new political order. The RSP, however, remained largely intact and under the command of General Diendéré, a loyalist of Compaoré, which sowed seeds of unease for the future.
The Build-up to the Coup: Unresolved Tensions
The transitional period was far from smooth, marked by persistent tensions between the interim government, civil society, and the powerful RSP. The core issue revolved around the RSP’s continued existence and influence, which many viewed as a lingering threat to the nascent democratic process.
Disarming the RSP: A Sticking Point
From the outset, there were strong calls from civil society groups and some political parties for the dissolution of the RSP. They argued that this elite unit, so closely tied to the old regime and its repressive tactics, had no place in a democratic Burkina Faso. The interim government, while acknowledging these concerns, found itself in a delicate position. Dissolving the RSP outright was seen as a risky move, potentially provoking a backlash from a well-armed and trained unit.
The interim government made some attempts to curb the RSP’s power, such as removing some of its members from key positions and reducing its budget. However, these measures were largely cosmetic and failed to address the fundamental issue of its continued existence. The RSP, for its part, resisted any attempts to diminish its authority, viewing such moves as an existential threat. This created a dangerous stalemate, with the RSP retaining its weaponry and its strong command structure, poised to act if it felt its interests were sufficiently threatened.
Election Eligibility and the Exclusion Law
A significant flashpoint emerged with the drafting of the new electoral code. The transitional national council, responsible for preparing the elections, included a controversial provision. This “exclusion law” specifically barred anyone who had supported Compaoré’s attempt to amend the constitution for a third term from running in the upcoming elections. This provision was primarily aimed at preventing members of Compaoré’s former ruling party, the Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP), from participating.
For the RSP, many of whom were loyalists to Compaoré, this law was a direct affront. It effectively disenfranchised their political allies and threatened to completely dismantle the old power structures they had been an integral part of. They saw it as an attempt to erase their political influence entirely and feared that a new, genuinely democratic government would eventually move to dismantle the RSP itself. The exclusion law, therefore, acted as a significant catalyst, intensifying their resentment and making them more desperate to intervene and protect their interests.
The Coup Attempt Unfolds: A Sudden Power Grab
The simmering tensions finally boiled over on 16 September 2015, just weeks before the planned general elections. The RSP, under the command of General Gilbert Diendéré, launched its audacious bid for power.
Kidnapping the Interim Leadership
The coup began with the dramatic seizure of key figures of the interim government. Around 2:30 PM local time, members of the RSP stormed a cabinet meeting at the presidential palace, Ouaga 2000. They arrested interim President Michel Kafando, Prime Minister Isaac Zida, and several other cabinet ministers. The interim government was effectively decapitated in a swift and coordinated move.
The kidnappings sent shockwaves through the capital, Ouagadougou. The international community immediately condemned the actions, calling for the unconditional release of the detained officials. This swift condemnation highlighted the fragility of the democratic transition and the continued threat posed by the military’s influence.
Establishing the National Council for Democracy (CND)
Hours after the arrests, the RSP announced the establishment of a new ruling body: the Conseil National pour la Démocratie (CND), or National Council for Democracy. General Gilbert Diendéré, the former chief of staff to Blaise Compaoré and the commander of the RSP, declared himself the head of the CND.
Diendéré, speaking on national television, justified the coup by claiming that the interim government was “deviating” from its mission and that the exclusion law in the new electoral code was “undemocratic.” He announced the dissolution of the transitional government and the electoral commission, promising to establish a more “inclusive” electoral process. However, his justifications were met with widespread skepticism, both domestically and internationally. The move was widely perceived as a naked power grab by those who stood to lose the most from the impending democratic elections. Troops from the RSP quickly took control of key strategic locations in Ouagadougou, including the national radio and television stations, effectively imposing a news blackout and broadcasting their own messages.
Resistance and Rejection: The Coup’s Downfall
Despite the swiftness of the coup, the CND’s hold on power was incredibly fragile and short-lived. A combination of determined public resistance, the loyalty of the regular army, and strong international condemnation ultimately led to its undoing.
Popular Uprising and Civilian Resistance
Almost immediately after the coup was announced, the people of Burkina Faso rose up in protest. Despite the presence of armed RSP soldiers and the imposition of a curfew, thousands of citizens took to the streets of Ouagadougou and other major cities. They erected barricades, burned tyres, and chanted slogans demanding the return of the interim government and the upholding of the democratic transition.
The CND responded with force. RSP soldiers fired live ammunition into crowds of protestors, leading to casualties and widespread condemnation. However, the brutality only strengthened the resolve of the demonstrators. Civil society groups, youth movements, and trade unions played a pivotal role in mobilising resistance, using social media and word-of-mouth to organise protests and disseminate information, circumventing the state-controlled media. This grassroots resistance demonstrated the profound desire of the Burkinabé people for democratic governance, a desire that the coup plotters had severely underestimated.
The Regular Army’s Stance and Regional Pressure
Crucially, the coup did not receive widespread support from the regular Burkinabé army. While the RSP was an elite unit, the vast majority of the armed forces remained loyal to the principles of the democratic transition. Several regional army commanders publicly condemned the coup and began to move their troops towards Ouagadougou, effectively encircling the capital. This created a significant military disadvantage for the CND, which was isolated and outnumbered.
Regional bodies, particularly the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), acted swiftly and decisively. ECOWAS leaders convened an emergency summit and dispatched a high-level delegation, including the presidents of Senegal and Benin, to Ouagadougou to mediate the crisis. They presented a peace plan that included the return of the interim government, the disarmament of the RSP, and a commitment to hold elections quickly. Crucially, ECOWAS also threatened to impose sanctions and deploy a military intervention force if the coup plotters did not stand down. This external pressure, coupled with the internal military standoff, significantly weakened the CND’s position.
The Coup’s Collapse and Return to Transition
Faced with overwhelming domestic and international pressure, and with the regular army poised to storm the presidential palace, the CND’s position became untenable. On 23 September, after an eleven-day standoff, General Diendéré announced that the coup was over and that the interim government would be restored. President Michel Kafando was reinstated as interim president, and Prime Minister Isaac Zida returned to his post.
The regular army entered Ouagadougou peacefully, disarming the RSP and effectively bringing an end to the unit’s long and controversial existence. While there were some initial reports of clashes, the transition back to civilian rule was remarkably smooth, a testament to the popular will and the unified stance of the regular army. The failed coup solidified the commitment to democratic governance in Burkina Faso and paved the way for the successful holding of elections later that year.
Aftermath and Long-Term Implications
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Coup Attempt | September 16-23, 2015 |
| Location | Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso |
| Key Actors | Regiment of Presidential Security (RSP), led by General Gilbert Diendéré |
| Target | Interim President Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Isaac Zida |
| Outcome | Coup failed; transitional government restored |
| Duration | Approximately 7 days |
| Casualties | Several deaths and injuries reported |
| International Response | Condemnation by African Union, ECOWAS, and United Nations |
| Impact on Transition | Temporary disruption of democratic transition process |
The collapse of the 2015 coup attempt marked a significant turning point for Burkina Faso, demonstrating the resilience of its democratic aspirations and having profound long-term implications for its political landscape.
Dissolution of the RSP and Accountability
One of the most immediate and significant consequences of the failed coup was the definitive dissolution of the Régiment de Sécurité Présidentielle (RSP). This elite unit, which had been at the heart of Compaoré’s power and the coup attempt itself, was officially disbanded shortly after the return of the interim government. Its members were integrated into other units of the regular army or demobilised, effectively dismantling a structure that had long been seen as a threat to democracy. This move was widely welcomed by civil society and the international community, removing a key obstacle to genuine civilian control of the military.
Beyond dissolution, there was a strong demand for accountability. General Gilbert Diendéré, the leader of the coup, was arrested and subsequently charged with treason and other offences. Many other members of the RSP involved in the coup were also detained and faced legal proceedings. These trials, which sometimes dragged on for years, aimed to send a clear message that such unconstitutional actions would not be tolerated and that those responsible would be held to account. While the justice process was lengthy and complex, it demonstrated a commitment to upholding the rule of law and preventing future attempts to subvert democratic processes.
Strengthening Democratic Institutions
The failed coup, paradoxically, strengthened Burkina Faso’s democratic institutions. The unified response from civil society, political parties, and the majority of the armed forces against the coup plotters highlighted a shared commitment to democratic principles. The experience served as a powerful lesson, demonstrating that power could not simply be seized through force and that the people’s will for democratic change was paramount.
The transitional government successfully organised and held presidential and parliamentary elections in November 2015, just two months after the coup attempt. Roch Marc Christian Kaboré was elected president, marking the first genuinely democratic transfer of power in the country since 1978. The swift return to the electoral calendar, despite the turbulence, underscored the determination to build a stable, democratic future. This commitment was further reflected in ongoing efforts to reform the security sector, ensuring civilian oversight and professionalism within the armed forces, though these efforts proved to be a continuous challenge in the years that followed.
A Precedent for Civilian Power
The 2015 coup attempt, while a traumatic event, ultimately set a significant precedent: it showed that a determined populace, backed by a loyal regular army and international condemnation, could successfully resist and reverse an unconstitutional power grab. It affirmed the principle of civilian supremacy and the irreversible nature of the democratic transition that began in 2014.
However, the event also served as a stark reminder of the enduring fragility of democratic processes, particularly in countries with a history of military intervention. While the immediate threat posed by the RSP was neutralised, the underlying political and security challenges facing Burkina Faso, including the rise of extremist groups in the region, continued to pose complex threats to its stability and democratic consolidation in the years that followed. The 2015 coup attempt stands as a pivotal moment in Burkina Faso’s contemporary history, a testament to its people’s fight for self-determination and the difficult, often bloody, path towards establishing true democratic governance.
FAQs
What triggered the 2015 Burkina Faso coup attempt?
The 2015 Burkina Faso coup attempt was triggered by widespread discontent with the transitional government that was established after the ousting of long-time president Blaise Compaoré in 2014. The transitional government faced criticism for its inability to address security issues, particularly in relation to rising jihadist violence, and for perceived delays in organising elections.
Who were the key figures involved in the coup attempt?
The coup attempt was led by General Gilbert Diendéré, who was the head of the Presidential Security Regiment (RSP) and a close ally of former president Blaise Compaoré. Other military leaders and members of the RSP were also involved in the coup, which aimed to restore Compaoré’s influence in the country.
What was the outcome of the coup attempt?
The coup attempt was ultimately unsuccessful. Following a swift response from the public and civil society, as well as pressure from regional and international actors, the coup leaders were forced to surrender. The transitional government was reinstated, and elections were held in November 2015, leading to the election of Roch Marc Christian Kaboré as president.
How did the international community respond to the coup attempt?
The international community, including the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), condemned the coup attempt and called for the restoration of the transitional government. They threatened sanctions against the coup leaders and expressed support for the democratic process in Burkina Faso.
What were the long-term implications of the coup attempt for Burkina Faso?
The coup attempt highlighted the fragility of Burkina Faso’s political landscape and the challenges of transitioning to democracy. It underscored the need for security reforms and the importance of addressing the root causes of instability, including poverty and ethnic tensions. The events also set the stage for ongoing political challenges and security issues in the region.
