Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, has dismissed speculation of a power struggle within the country’s ruling junta, declaring that he remains the sole authority in government.

Speaking during a meeting with community leaders in Ouahigouya, Traore warned that he would not tolerate challenges to his leadership.

“There can’t be two captains on one ship,” he said, adding that anyone who undermines his authority would face consequences.

The comments come amid growing speculation over the prolonged absence of two senior junta officials, Oumarou Yabre, who heads the country’s intelligence services and National Security Council, and Farouk Azaria Sorgho, the junta’s spokesman and commander of the Rapid Intervention Battalion.

Both officials have not appeared in public for several weeks, fuelling reports of internal divisions within the military government that seized power in September 2022.

Security sources also claimed that some associates of the two officials have been arrested or removed from office, while security measures have been tightened around the presidential palace in the capital, Ouagadougou.

The Burkinabe authorities have not officially confirmed the reports of internal tensions.