Yesterday morning around 4.30 am local time, the inhabitants of Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou were awakened by gunfire. Even then, it was suspected that this could be the beginning of another military coup. Around 6.40, the local television stopped broadcasting. On the evening of October 1, Captain Ibrahim Traoré announced a successful military coup – the second this year.
The morning firefight took place near the N5 road near the Ouagu 2000 road junction. The district is the administrative center of Ouagadougou, it is home to, among others, the presidential palace and the seat of the most important offices. The capital’s airport is also nearby. Air France, Turkish Airlines and Tunisair canceled flights to Ouagadougou.
There has been an increase in troops near the headquarters of Radio Television du Burkina (RTB) and the European Union delegation. There are military checkpoints in the streets limiting access to the very center of the city. According to unconfirmed rumors, an explosion was supposed to take place in the vicinity of the presidential palace. France24 journalists have determined that the country’s ruling Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba – who overthrew President Roch Kaboré eight months ago – is safe, but its exact location is unknown.
#Ouagadougou: Center-ville toujours bloqué par les militaires, entre la Primature et le rond-point des Nations-Unies, où se trouve notamment la @rtburkina pic.twitter.com/uantrp71eJ
– Fanny Noaro-Kabré (@FannyNoaro) September 30, 2022
Captain Ibrahim Traoré headed the capital’s garrison and announced his seizure of power, copying the methods used by the previous junta to gain power. Speaking surrounded by soldiers, he announced the suspension of the constitution, the closure of borders and the introduction of a curfew throughout the country. In the published statement, the putschists emphasized that they repeatedly asked Lieutenant Colonel Damiba to concentrate on improving security in the country, but in the absence of any reaction, they had to reach for power themselves.
There you have it again. Coup confirmed in #BurkinaFaso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré is new military leader #iwil pic.twitter.com/8AXJZ5rdze
– Bate Felix (@BateFelix) September 30, 2022
In the city center, at the statue of Thomas Sankara (known as the “African Che Guevara”), a small demonstration of support for the putschists soon gathered, which quickly became anti-French. One of its participants told New York Times journalists: “We want Russia. We don’t want France anymore. Young people have no job, there is uncertainty everywhere ”. You can see a similar narrative here as in Mali and Niger, where anti-French sentiments are fueled by Russian propaganda.
Crisis
The junta, so far ruling in Burkina Faso, has struggled with mounting problems in recent months. Society accuses Lieutenant Colonel Damiba of not being involved in activities aimed at improving security in the country. There have been anti-government protests in the provincial capital of Houet, Bobo-Dioulasso. Damiba and his associates seem to be unaware that the junta, which cannot provide a minimum of stability and security, significantly loses its credibility in the eyes of the public.
WATCH: Footage of the current alleged Coup d’État attempt in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso taking place presently.
Shots were heard in the presidential district of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. pic.twitter.com/Tmm5xtZvDn
– BNN Burkina Faso (@BNNBFnews) September 30, 2022
At the beginning of September 2022, there was a radical change in the structure of the government. Defense Minister General Barthelemy Simpore was recalled and his duties and powers were taken over by Lieutenant Colonel Daimbie. It was supposed, at least in principle, to concentrate all decisions in the hands of one person who would be able to mobilize enough force to drive the terrorists out of the country. The great promises, however, had to face reality: the attacks repeated and the fighters continued to fight.
About 40% of the country’s territory is beyond actual government control. Despite the declaration of making security the most important political goal, the last year was one of the bloodiest in the history of the country. In September 2022 alone, about 45 civilians were killed by attacks by militants.
Burkina Faso, along with Mali, is becoming a serious problem for all of West Africa. The country has many bases of terrorist groups carrying out attacks throughout the region. Another problem is the existence of dozens of illegal gold mines. Trading in precious metals and kidnapping for ransom is one of the most important sources of terrorist financing.
See also: Was FCAS on the brink?
US Army / Spc. Miguel Pena
