The Figure Of Lieutenant Colonel Damiba, Burkina Faso Military Coup Leader: Former Presidential Guard And French S-2 Graduate

Burkina Faso military illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Sgt. Benjamin Northcutt)

JAKARTA - Burkina Faso's army said on Monday it had ousted President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, suspended the constitution, dissolved the government and national assembly and closed the country's borders.

The announcement cited the deteriorating security situation and what the army described as President Kabore's inability to unite the country and effectively respond to challenges, including the uprising of radical religious groups.

The statement was made on behalf of a previously unheard-of entity, the Patriotic Movement for Protection and Recovery, or MPSR, its French acronym.

"The MPSR, which includes all sections of the army, has decided to terminate the post of President Kabore today," he said, citing Reuters January 25.

Meanwhile, according to the New York Times, the Coup was announced on state television Monday afternoon by an officer interrupting a program on the fish trade, to announce that the military had suspended the Constitution and dissolved the government, and that it was closing Burkina Faso's land and air borders until further notice.

In familiar military coup language, the spokesman said the armed forces were acting out of obligation, reacting to "the people's irritation." Beside him sat a uniformed man whom he introduced as Burkina Faso's new leader, Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba.

The figure of Lieutenant Colonel Damiba, is not well known in Burkina Faso. Trained at the Paris Military School, he was previously a member of the elite force guarding President Blaise Compaoré, who ruled for 27 years until his ouster in 2014.

After the unit was disbanded, he was integrated into the regular army, where he began to move up the ranks. Last year, he published a book called 'West African Army and Terrorism: Uncertain Responses?'

Two months ago, Colonel Damiba was appointed to command one of Burkina Faso's three military regions, a promotion which coincided with growing discontent within the ranks.

As for citing Actusalade, Lieutenant Colonel Damiba is referred to as a senior infantry officer. He holds a master's degree in criminal science from the National Academy of Arts and Crafts (CNAM) in Paris, France and a defense specialist certificate in management, command and strategy.

To note, in November, the UN regional envoy warned of a possible coup in Burkina Faso. Last week authorities arrested another officer accused of plotting a takeover.