President Paul-Henri Damiba’s government has been overthrown in Burkina Faso’s second coup of the year.
On September 30th, gunfire erupted in the capital city of Ouagadougou. Soldiers led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré then appeared on state television to declare President Damiba’s removal from office and the suspension of the constitution.
Traoré has blamed President Damiba for being unable to fight effectively against Islamic extremists.
Islamic extremists belonging to al-Qaeda and ISIS have control over 40% of Burkina Faso’s land— killing thousands of Burkinabe and forcing two million more to leave their homes.
President Damiba used the same reasoning when he led his coup against former President Kabore in January.
The recent coup has been condemned by leaders in the United Nations and African Union for worries over the multiple coups and political instability that is occurring in Burkina Faso and its neighbors in the Sahel.
Traoré has stated that democratic elections are on track to occur by 2024 or earlier despite the military takeover.
Damiba has been confirmed on Monday to have fled to Togo.
Traoré was made President of Burkina Faso on Wednesday.
