Burkina Faso’s military stage coup, overthrow government
Priton Omwenga
The military chief of Burkina Faso, who was overthrown in a coup on Friday, has formally announced his resignation, according to community and religious groups. They said that Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, the nation's newly elected leader, had Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba's resignation and the terms he had set.
Photo: Outsed Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba (Courtesy)
The announcement comes after a report that Lt Col Damiba was seeking refuge in a French military base, following attacks on French institutions.
The coup is the country's second this year. Both times, the takeovers were attributed to the country's poor security condition and inability to contain an Islamist insurgency.
Experts estimate that only 60% of Burkina Faso is under government control, and Islamist violence is getting worse.
Photo: Courtesy. Newly elected country's leader Capt. Ibrahim Traoré
In agreement with the regional organization Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), the African Union has called for the restoration of constitutional order by July 2023 at the latest.
Earlier, Ecowas stated that it was "wrong" for army rebels to take control of the nation as it worked toward civilian authority.Lt Col Damiba hasn't made any official statements.
However, according to statements made by religious and community leaders quoted by the AFP news agency, Lt Col Damiba himself had tendered his resignation "to avoid clashes with serious human and material implications."
According to the former colonel, President Roch Kaboré was forced from office in January after failing to address the rise in militant Islamist violence. For a while now, many Burkinabe residents have not felt secure.
Photo: President Roch Kaboré (Courtesy)
In 2015, an Islamist insurgency broke out in the nation, displacing two million people from their homes and resulting in thousands of fatalities.
Eight coups have taken place in Burkina Faso since its independence in 1960.
