
Burkina Faso: Forces Armees E.M.G.A. – Communique de Presse (05.10.2022)






“The information was confirmed by the Minister of Communication and Media to AFP. Prof Akodah Ayewouadan said that Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba is indeed taking refuge in Togo. For the government spokesman, the deposed president is in Togo in the spirit of the country’s commitment to peace in the sub-region” (Togoweb – ‘Burkina: the Togolese government explains itself after having collected Damiba in Lomé’ 04.10.2022).
It is only 8 months ago, when Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba himself took power in a military coup on the 24th January 2022. He was just recently ousted in another military coup d’etat on the 30th September 2022.
You know that your reign ended badly after only a short time when you have to end in exile. He knows that he will not welcome by the new Head of State. Lt. Col. Damiba “won” it all in January 2022 when he succeeded, but it was all in vain. The supposed transitional and junta government has lost already.
That’s why there was changes over the weekend. Lt. Col. Damiba isn’t alone in exile, Captain Sidsoré Ouédraogo and Captain Hassane Salem Diallo who are loyal to Damiba also went with him to Togo. They all took a military helicopter to Lome. It was Radio Omega who had the story of the loyalist following Damiba to Togo.
That means there are small group of the former coup who are now in Togo. They are there in exile and had to flee, because they fear their own future after being ousted. Yes, Damiba gave a few stipulations to his resignation over the weekend. However, he won’t have much say or sway of influence when he goes into exile. The only thing this creates are questions about what he will do or if he will want to return. That is only natural and at one point Damiba and his captains wants to get back to Ouagadougou.
What we do know is that Lt. Col. Damiba was never elected or a person who rose to power with a popular uprising. No, Lt. Col. Damiba was the second coup attempt in the same month and he succeeded. That’s why he was able to overthrow the predecessor and be the Head of State. It wasn’t by the popular support or anything. This is why there wasn’t demonstrations or public disorder by overthrowing him. Neither did he do any unique or special policies, which will make him stand out over time.
No, he was just an army command who took power and was ousted in the same way he came in. Peace.





“After the coup by Ibrahim Traoré and his men, the president of the Burkinabe transition, who himself came to power by force of arms last January, finally gave up his functions. The announcement is imminent. Under pressure from part of the army, and after 48 hours of confusion, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba finally resolved to resign as president of the transition, this Sunday, October 2 in the morning. According to our information from Jeune Afrique the document was signed in the early morning, at 9am local time, at the Ouagadougou air base” (Mouhamed Diouf – ‘Putsch in Burkina Faso: President Damiba forced to resign, the announcement would be imminent’ 02.10.2022, Senego.com).
The putschist Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandago Damiba who took power in the 24th January 2022 and on Friday 30th September 2022 he was toppled by Captain Ibrahim Traoré of the Forces Spéciales (Special Forces). Since Friday there been speculation of the French involvement and Russian involvement in it. However, nothing has been verified on the matter.
Just like Lt. Col. Damiba did his coup against President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. It was done because of the insecurity and lack of action in concern to the Islamist insurgency. It is now reported that Traoré did his coup for similar reasons. While can surely understand that there are underlying reasons for it, which is about power and be the head of a junta government. It is not like Traoré or Damiba was elected by the people. No, they just took power by the gun and silenced their critics on the way there.
We will hear more, but just like the Kaboré resignation letter was released. The same got to happen to Damiba as well. That is needed for some sort of legitimacy for Traoré. That’s why there should just be an announcement on National TV, but also show the paper-trail here. In such a manner, that the new junta gets elevated to prominence.
We should await more verified information, but things are not yet settled. The coup is still fresh and the coordinated efforts of a new regime is in the works. That’s why we have to wait and see. Today was also the first day that Traoré greeted people in the streets of Ouagadougou. Therefore, time will tell when his inaugurated and sworn-in. Peace.




“Soldiers announce removal of Burkina junta leader from office. Burkina Faso army rebels announce closure of borders and suspension of institutions. Burkina Faso army Captain Ibrahim Traore has ousted military leader Paul-Henri Damiba and dissolved the government and suspended the constitution and transitional charter, he said in a statement read on national television Friday evening” (CGTN Africa, 30.09.2022).
In Ouagadougou there been reports of a possible coup d’etat since earlier in the day. As the army and supposed “COBRAS” was in the streets. Where they shot in the Presidential Palace and sealed off the Prime Ministers house. They did also stop the National TV Channels broadcast and made people aware of the troops movement in the city.
Now it’s apparent that a new army commander, Captain Ibrahim Traoré is taking over. Earlier in the day it was speculated that the former failed coup-maker Col. Zoungrana would do it. Nevertheless, that has now been dismissed and like in January. The new Head of State announced the downfall of the predecessor for anyone to see.
Right now things are murky and uncertain. Everything will just be speculations, but this is the second coup d’etat in the same year. Captain Ibrahim Traoré is said to come from the Forces Spéciales (FS), which was only created by former President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré on the 2nd June 2021. It is not like this unit was created long ago either and it was supposed to serve a purpose for the former President.
Now the same unit and possible army commanders has again decided to topple another head. This time it was Col. Paul-Henri Damiba who did a similar coup d’etat in January 2022. Its really compelling really and we can wonder how the new Head of State will defend their actions. Because, the previous one made his assessment and transitional period. Now that will stopped and another will come along.
One thing is for sure. It is one junta government to another one. One military head of state to another one. Burkina Faso isn’t seeing an elected government or a civilian one for that matter. No, it is just another self-anointed man on the top. Peace.