Explained | The ouster of Burkina Faso’s leader in second military coup in a year

What is behind the second military coup in Burkina Faso? Who is the new ruler of the West African nation battling Islamist insurgency?

The story so far: Earlier this week, the President of Burkina Faso announced his resignation following violence in the volatile West African nation after the military government was overthrown by a group of soldiers in the second coup in around eight months. After he was named as the new head of the State, Captain Ibrahim Traore assured that the country will hold an election by 2024 or earlier. 

Burkina Faso has witnessed political instability since it gained independence from France in 1960. The latest political developments came against the backdrop of the country’s battle with Islamist insurgency that swept in from Mali in 2015. Thousands have been killed and at least two million displaced so far.

Days after 11 soldiers were found dead following an attack by militants on a convoy, heavy gunfire was heard near the presidential palace on September 30, raising fears of a new military coup. Clearing the air, the President’s spokesperson stated on the official Facebook page that negotiations were underway to bring back “calm and serenity”.

Later in the night, a group of armed soldiers seized control of state television and announced that President Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba had been overthrown, the government dissolved, and the constitution suspended. The military leaders announced a curfew and said all borders were closed as they promised people to make the country more secure. “Faced by the continually worsening security situation, we the officers and junior officers of the national armed forces were motivated to take action with the desire to protect the security and integrity of our country,” declared a spokesperson as the group named 34-year-old Captain Ibrahim Traore the new military head of the country.

Speaking to the media, Capt. Traore said a group of officers who helpedPresident Damiba seize power in January nowdecided to remove him due to his inability to deal with the extremists.

“In some villages, trees don’t have leaves because people eat them. They eat weeds. We’d proposed solutions that will enable us to protect these people, but were not heard.”Capt. Ibrahim TraoreNew ruler of Burkina Faso

He told journalists that Damiba had not done enough to improve the situation and that conditions remained poor for soldiers in the field.