When President Ibrahim Chore's lips met the first bite of his evening meal, he felt something was wrong in his body. The blood in his veins froze. First, a burning in his throat, then a pressure in his chest.
Everyone in the dining room stood still. He had been poisoned. But who had done it?
The guards, the chefs, his trusted adviserss. Worst of all, would he ever see the rising sun again? The dining hall in the presidential palace in Wagadugu was usually a calm and orderly place.
That evening had started that way too. Ibrahim Trouore was finally able to eat his dinner after a long day. As usual, he had several close advisers at his table.
"We have the opening of the water project in the northern region this week," said economy minister Calibboy, looking at the notes in his file. "The villagers are waiting for you eagerly," Tray nodded, taking a fork of the traditional Burkina dish consisting of rice and fried chicken. The drinking water project is the 32nd of the 50 new projects we promised," said Tray as he brought the fork to his mouth.
"To reach our goal, we need to" He couldn't complete his sentence. He suddenly felt a burning in his throat, a pressure began in his chest, a warmth that slowly spread throughout his body. His vision blurred.
His ears began to ring. "Mr President, are you all right? " asked Interior Minister Kabor.
Trereay couldn't answer. He reached for his glass, but his hand was trembling and the glass tipped over. Something was terribly wrong.
"The president has been poisoned. " "Call a doctor! " shouted Cababore, jumping to his feet.
The hall suddenly turned to chaos. Guards rushed in. Ministers stood up.
Voices rose. Tray was trying to maintain consciousness, but everything was becoming blurry. "Seal the palace," ordered security chief Wedryoggo.
"No one comes in, no one goes out. This is an assassination attempt. Urao rushed to trial ray's side.
The president was now shaking, struggling to breathe. Hold on, Mr President. Help is on the way, he whispered.
The palace health team arrived within minutes. Dr Zongo checked Tray's pupils, felt his pulse. It's chemical poisoning, he said in a tense voice.
He needs to be taken to the hospital immediately. The last thing Tray heard before losing consciousness was Dr Zongo saying, "The poison is spreading quickly. We're running out of time.
The special section of the Burkina Faso Central Military Hospital was closed off with heavy security measure. The corridors were filled with armed soldiers. In a special room, Ibrahim Trare was fighting for his life.
Machines attached to his body monitored his vital functions. Outside the hospital, news had begun to spread. Hundreds of people had gathered praying.
On social media, the # number sign pray for Triray had become a global trend. It's the work of Western powers. Some protesters shouted.
Trayore was too dangerous for them for our independence. No, it's traitors from within. Others responded.
Snakes living in the palace. Whatever the truth, Burkina Faso's young leader was fighting for his life and the country was holding its breath, waiting in the corridor outside the hospital room. Security Chief Wedrao, Interior Minister Kabore, and Prime Minister Dio had gathered.
"What's the situation? " asked Dio with deep concern on his face. Critical but stable, said Dr Zongo, showing the report in his hand.
The poison is very sophisticated. The laboratory analysis is ongoing. Such a poison couldn't be made by an ordinary person.
This is an assassination attempt, said Wedryoggo, lowering his voice. And it must be from the inside. Who prepared the president's food?
Who was at the table? We must investigate everything. Everyone, we must keep calm, said Prime Minister Dio.
Panic and accusations will harm us. The most important thing now is the president's survival and the country's stability. Kabor nodded.
But the investigation must also begin. Everyone in the palace is a suspect. From the chefs to the advisers, from the guards to the servant.
I'm afraid, said Wedryoggo in a tense voice, that we are also on the list of suspect. The corridor suddenly became silent. The three men looked at each other.
Trust had become as explosive as a bomb dropped on the palace. We must take action, said Dio. Who will conduct the investigation?
The palace police, the army, national intelligence? Wedrao thought. None of them will work.
In all of them, there are those loyal to the president as well as enemies. We need to find someone from outside. But who?
Asked Kabor. Who can we trust? At that moment in a modest house in the suburbs of Uagadugu, a 63-year-old man was listening to the news on the radio.
His name was Maurice Sankara. The former intelligence chief of Burkina Faso. 3 years ago, one of Trrowé's first acts had been to remove him from office.
It is confirmed that President Ibrahim Trare has been poisoned, said the announcer on the radio. His condition is described as critical. Sankara took a deep breath.
There had been a lot of history between him and Trare. Troreé had accused him of collaborating with the French, removed him from office, and sentenced him to house arrest. For the past year, he had regained partial freedom, but was still under surveillance.
The ringing of the phone interrupted his thoughts. The caller was a former colleague. "Maurice, they will contact you," said the voice.
"Be ready. " "Who? " asked Sankara with surprise.
"Those in the palace, they will call you to investigate the poisoning. " Sankara laughed. "Don't be ridiculous.
Trrowé hates me. He accused me of treason. Maybe, said the other man.
But right now, he doesn't know who to trust inside. There's only one reason he would want you. What's that?
That your hatred for him is known by everyone. If even you can prove that you didn't want to kill him, he can find the real culprit. Maurice Sankara's prediction proved correct.
The next morning, his door was knocked. Outside, two cars from the presidential convoy were waiting. Mr Sankara, there are people who want to see you, said a young officer.
Sankara nodded. He was expecting this. He quickly got ready and got into the cars.
The convoy went directly to the military hospital. In the hospital corridor, Prime Minister Dio, Security Chief Wedra Ogo, and Interior Minister Kabor were waiting. All three had the same expression on their faces.
Concern, suspicion, and slight embarrassment. Mr Sankara, said Dialo, extending his hand. Thank you for coming.
Sankara didn't shake his hand. Did I have a choice, Mr Prime Minister? I was once accused of treason and now, as I understand, you need my help.
The country needs your help, said Kabor. The president is in critical condition, and someone tried to kill him. Someone from the inside, added Wedryoggo.
The food was prepared and served in the palace. Everyone is a suspect. Sankara gave a cold look.
And why me? You kept me in isolation for 3 years. Trroway ruined my career and reputation.
That's exactly why, said Dio. If even one of the president's greatest enemies wants to save him, we can find the real culprit. Sankara thought.
This was a perfect opportunity for revenge. If Traoreé died, perhaps his own life would return to normal. But this was a sinister attack, not something to be done even to an enemy.
What happened? asked Sankara. Tell me the details.
Yesterday evening at an official dinner, the president showed signs of poisoning after the first few bites, said Kabor. Laboratory analyses are ongoing, but initial results point to an exotic and rare poison. We are investigating everything and everyone in the palace.
You have full authority in this operation, said Dio. You will have access to all records, personnel, security cameras, however, but you will report the results to us first. completed Wedrogo.
We don't want to create panic. Sankara nodded understandingly. Can I see the president?
The three men looked at each other in surprise. Why? asked Kabori suspiciously.
Because I want to understand the poison, said Sankara. The symptoms, effects, severity. This will give me an idea about the type of poison and its possible source.
Under intense security measures, Sankara was admitted to the room where the president was receiving special treatment. Ibrahim Trare was lying in bed, pale, attached to machines, and defenseless. The man who had removed him from office and sent him into exile three years ago was now fighting for his life.
"Give us 10 minutes," said Sankura to the doctors and nurses in the room. When the medical team left, Sankura slowly approached the bed. He looked at Ibrahim Trouay's face.
His eyes were closed, but his chest was rising and falling slightly. He was alive. "You know, Mr President," said Sankura slowly.
I never liked you. When you removed me from office, I wished for your death. But not like this, he paused thoughtfully.
It is more honorable to defeat an enemy by looking into their eyes than to poison them in the shadows. The monitors were beeping regularly. Trrowé's condition was stable but critical.
Who poisoned you and why? Sankara murmured. I will find out.
Not for you, but for my own honor. Sankara examined Trrower's medical reports. The poison was fast, but not lethal.
This was a conscious choice, not to kill, but to harm. Why? Just then, Trare<unk>'s eyes opened slightly.
He was struggling to focus, but recognized Sankara. You, he whispered in a weak voice. So, it was you.
I didn't poison you, Sankara said quickly. I'm here to save you. Why?
Asked Tray barely speaking. Because whoever poisoned you is also harming Burkina Faso, said Sankara. And I don't betray my country.
Troué<unk>'s eyes closed again. His consciousness faded. Sankara took a deep breath and left the room.
In the corridor, Wedrao was waiting. "What did you learn? " "The poison is quite complex," said Sankura thoughtfully.
"It must have been prepared in a laboratory by a skilled chemist. The symptoms are specific. First burning in the throat, then general weakness, trembling, mental foggess.
" "What does this tell us? " asked Wedryogo. "The poison's purpose wasn't to kill," said Sankura.
If it were, the president would be dead already. This is a warning, a message. Wedrago frowned.
From whom? Why? That's what I need to investigate in the palace, said Sankara.
And I must start immediately. Give me information about everyone in the palace. Chefs, waiters, guards, advisers, cleaners.
I want to know everything. We've prepared the files, said Wedryoggo, handing him a tablet. Here are detailed information on 342 people working in the palace.
The east wing of the presidential palace had been transformed into a temporary investigation center. Maurice Sankara was examining files around a table. With him were two former intelligence officers he had chosen to assist him.
Two people who had remained loyal to him and whom Tray had not dismissed. Now said Sankara, I first want to understand the food chain. How the food is prepared in the palace.
how it comes to the president's table step by step. Wedrao had the palace chef brought in. Chef Bammana was standing before them with trembling hands.
Mr Bammana said Sankara in a kind voice. Don't be afraid. We don't think anything happened to you.
We just want to understand the processes. The chef nodded somewhat relieved. I have been working in the palace for 14 years, sir.
I have served three presidents. I prepared President Trare<unk>'s meal as always. Rice, fried chicken, and vegetables.
The president's favorite meal. Where do you get the ingredients from? asked Sankara.
From the palace's own farm, said the chef. For security, all food is specially grown. Every shipment is checked.
And how does the food come to the table after it's prepared by the waiters, said the chef. Yesterday evening, it was Sulie who brought the food to the president's table. A trusted waiter of 8 years.
Sankura took notes. And who was at the president's table last night? Interior Minister Kabor, Economy Minister Kulibi, Security Chief Urao, and Foreign Minister Zeta said the chef and and of course, President Trouore.
Sankara dismissed the chef and turned to Urago, find waiter Sulie Maine immediately. However, Sulie was nowhere to be found. The investigation team learned that he had been missing since last night.
His house was empty. His phone was off. Here's our suspect, said Uadrago.
Classic. Commit the crime. Run.
Sankura shook his head. That would be too easy. The waiter is probably dead.
He might be the one who carried the poison, but we need to find the mastermind behind it. Where do we start then? asked one of his assistant.
The waiter's family, friends, said Sankura. Who did he meet with in recent days? Did he have any unusual expenses?
A new phone, watch, car? Was a large sum of money deposited into a bank account? The team quickly took action.
In the search of the waiter's house, no valuable items were found. But in a hidden compartment in the bedroom, there was an envelope containing foreign currency. 10,000.
Evidence, said, but we don't know who gave it. Give me the security camera footage of the palace, said Sankara. I want to see everything from the past week.
In the security room of the palace, Sankara and his team spent hours watching security camera footage. They tracked all the movements of waiter solemn. Stop, said Sankara suddenly.
Last Tuesday 14:32, Solemn is talking to someone in the back garden of the palace. The person on the screen was one of the palace advisers. Hamidu Savvado, the foreign relations adviser.
Zoom in, said Sankara. Savado was giving a small envelope to the waiter. There's the person who gave the money, said Urao.
Maybe, said Sankara. But I'm not sure if he's the poisoner. Find Savado and bring him in.
Savado was found in the west wing of the palace in his own office. When he was brought to the interrogation room, he appeared calm. Mr Savado said Sankura.
What did you discuss with waiter solemn in the back garden last Tuesday? What? asked Savado appearing surprised.
Oh, I gave him a small gift. His mother was sick. I wanted to help.
€10,000, said Sankura. Quite a generous gift. Savado's facial expression didn't change.
So what? Can I do what I want with my own money? Of course you can, said Sankara.
But it's an interesting timing. The waiter receives money, then the president is poisoned, and the waiter disappears. Do you have an explanation for this?
Savado began to look uncomfortable. I didn't poison anyone, and I don't know where Solemine is. Then why did you withdraw €50,000 from your overseas bank account 2 weeks ago?
Asked Sankura, showing a document. Savado's eyes widened. You investigated my accounts 3 hours ago.
You had a reservation at a hotel in Paris, Sankura continued. You were about to flee the country. Savado jumped to his feet.
I was just a middleman. I swear. Whose middleman?
asked Sankura without raising his voice. I can't say, said Savado, sweat forming on his forehead. They'll kill me.
Sankura leaned forward. Mr Savado, if President Troué dies, this will be an assassination. Chaos will break out in the country and you will be the primary suspect in this assassination.
Life imprisonment, maybe even death penalty. Now I ask you one last time, who commissioned you? Savado remained silent for a while, then surrendered.
An official from the French foreign ministry. His name is Pierre Dumont. We met at a conference in Paris 2 months ago.
He approached me, offered collaboration. What kind of collaboration? influencing Burkina Faso's western policy, preventing President Trroware from getting closer to Russia and China, gathering information.
And what did he pay you for this? 5,000 per month, said Savado. But then then they asked more of me to poison Trare, said Sankara.
Savvado nodded. But not to kill him, just to make him sick. The poison wasn't lethal.
I swear he would be sick for a few weeks during which time the prime minister would take over the administration and sign some agreements. Which agreements? Returning gold rights to French mining companies, renewal of the military base agreement, new economic partnerships.
Sankara looked at Sadoo with a cold expression. And solemn where is he? I don't know, said Savado, trembling.
I gave him the poison and he put it in the food. After implementing the plan, he was supposed to escape. He was also paid.
Hours later, Maurice Sankura met with Prime Minister Dio, Security Chief Wedrao, and Interior Minister Kabor. He told them what they had discovered. So, the French, said Dio thoughtfully.
They were disturbed by Burkina Faso's new independent policy. Savado has been arrested, said Urago. But the real culprits are beyond our borders.
We've started a search everywhere for the waiter, said Kabor. But he may have escaped. He didn't escape, said Sankura in a definitive voice.
They killed him. They cleaned up the traces. What should we do?
asked Dio. Should we make this information public? Not yet, said Sankura.
First, we should wait for the president to recover. And I have a plan. Sankara proposed a plan to trap the French foreign ministry official Pierre Duont.
Savado would tell Duont that Trrowé's condition had worsened and that the prime minister had temporarily taken over. Duant would come to Burkina Faso secretly to sign the agreements and then he would be caught. A risky plan, said Kabor worriedly.
But if it works, we will clearly document the French intervention, said Sankura. And President Trouore will emerge stronger from this situation. At the hospital, Ibrahim Troué's condition was slowly improving.
Doctors reported that the effect of the poison was beginning to diminish. His consciousness was returning intermittently, but he still wasn't fully recovered. Sankara visited the hospital twice a day to check on Trrowé's condition.
On the third day, Troué stayed awake longer and was able to talk with Sankara. "How do you feel, Mr President? " asked Sankara, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Like I've been hit by a truck," said Trare in a weak voice. "But I'm alive. Who did this?
" Sankara told him about the events. All the information about waiter solemn adviser Savado and the French official Dumal Trereé listened silently. So the French are still trying to control our country, he said finally.
Our independence and rights over our resources disturb them. Mr President, said Sankura hesitantly. We have a plan to catch the people who poisoned you.
But it's risky. Tell me, said Troure, interest sparking in his eyes. Sankura explained the plan to trap Dumont.
They would spread the lie that Trrowé's condition had worsened and there might even be news of his death for a while. This would cause those involved in the conspiracy to come out. "Do it," said Tray determinedly.
"We need to know who wants to govern us, who wants to control us. " The plan was quickly put into action. The next day, the Burkina Foso Ministry of Health announced that President Trare's condition had worsened.
In the first press release, it was stated that he was in critical and unstable condition. And in the second announcement that he had been put on life support, Savado sent a controlled message from his cell. He informed Pierre Duman that the situation was more serious than expected and that the president would probably die within a few days.
Prime Minister Dio has now temporarily taken over the administration. He's ready to sign the agreements, he wrote. All security units in Burkina Faso were on alert, but this high alert status was kept secret.
A special operations team was on standby under Sankura's direct command. 2 days later, international radio and television channels announced the shocking news. Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Trouore has died.
This was a planned false report, but its effect was immediate. In the capital, Wagadugu, thousands of people took to the streets, crying, praying, angry. The sudden loss of a young leader had plunged the entire country into mourning.
Within hours, a diplomat from the French embassy in Uagadugu entered the country. This was Pierre Duong, introduced as his assistant. As a matter of protocol, he would have a condolence meeting with Prime Minister Dio.
A special meeting room had been prepared in the prime minister's building. Dio Maurice Sankura and two security officers were there. When Dumont entered, there was a fake expression of sadness on his face.
"Mr Prime Minister," said the French diplomat. "On behalf of the French Republic, I offer my condolences for the loss of President Trareore. We are with you in this difficult time.
" Dio nodded. "Thank you, Mr Dumont. Please sit down.
We have things to discuss. " Dumont gave Sankura a suspicious look. This should be a private meeting, shouldn't it?
Mr Sankura is my security adviser, said Dio. And our topics today are precisely about security. As you wish, said Dumont, trying to appear comfortable.
Mr Dumont, said Dio. It's very kind of you to come specially from Paris. Especially since you don't have an official position.
Dumont's expression changed. What do you mean? I am a senior diplomat of the French embassy.
No, you're not, said Sankura, opening a folder. You are an operative of the French Foreign Intelligence Service and you're conducting intelligence activities in our country. Dumont's face pad.
This is nonsense. Last night, said Sankara. You had a 20-minute phone conversation with Hammedu Savado.
We recorded your conversation. Sankara pressed a button and the audio recording began to play. Dumont's voice was clearly audible.
Are you sure? Is Trrowé really dead? This is great news.
I'm coming right away to get the agreement signed. Dumont's face was now completely white. This this could be fabricated, Mr Dumont, said Dio in a serious voice.
You are charged with attempted assassination of a head of state on Burkina Faso territory. Dumont frantically stood up. I have diplomatic immunity.
You can't touch me. Sankara also stood up. You're not a diplomat.
You're an intelligence operative and you're part of an assassination plot. At that moment, the side door of the room opened and Ibrahim Trare walked in. His face was still pale.
He was slightly stumbling as he walked, but he was alive and standing. Duant was in shock. "This This is impossible.
I'm stronger than you thought, Mr Duant," said Tray in a calm voice. "And so is Burkina Faso. " Duant was arrested and exposed before the international press.
The French ambassador was urgently called to the country and forced to make a statement. The French government claimed that Duant acted individually and did not represent France's official policy, but no one believed this explanation. Ibrahim Trouore addressed the public and told them about his experience.
He described the poisoning attempt as an attack on Burkina Faso's independence and sovereignty. "This incident has shown us," said Trareore, that independence is not easily won. We need to struggle every day at every step.
But it has also shown that if we detect betrayals among ourselves and recognize our true friends, no external power can defeat us. With a surprising decision, Trereé appointed Maurice Sankara as the national security adviser. This meant bringing the man he had dismissed 3 years ago to the position he trusted most.
After the press conference, Tray and Sankara were left alone. "Why? " asked Sankara.
"Why do you trust me? I could have betrayed you. " Tray smiled.
But you didn't. I knew that your hatred for me was less than your love for your country. 6 months after the assassination attempt, Burkina Faso was in a stronger position.
The French military base had been removed from the country. Mining rights had been reorganized. Ibrahim Trare and Maurice Sankara were ensuring the country's progress on the path to independence.
One evening while standing on the balcony of the presidential palace, Trare turned to Sankara. You know, Maurice, sometimes the greatest enemies can become the best ally. Sankara nodded thoughtfully.
Because a real enemy at least is honest. Their motivations are clear. Exactly, said Tray.
And now I understand that dismissing you 3 years ago was a mistake. You were just following a different path, but the goal was the same. Burkina Faso's independent.
Perhaps the poison was a medicine for us, said Sankura thoughtfully. Sometimes the difference between poison and medicine is just the dose. Ibrahim Trrower looked at the sun on the horizon and sometimes the truth itself is poisonous but at the same time it is the only cure.
The two former enemies now stood side by side looking at the future of their country. The poisoned truth had united them, strengthened them, and put their country on a safer path.
