A counter-coup puts Burkina Faso and the Sahel in further Chaos ! 

What we know so far ! 

A faction of MPSR (Movement For Safe Guard and Restoration ) officers led by its spokesperson Captain Traore Ibrahim has successfully orchestrated a bloody counter coup against the MPSR flag bearer and interim president Lt Col Paul Henry sandaogo Damiba. Lt Col Damiba became a beneficiary of the January 24th 2022 military coup which ousted the democratically elected President Roch Marc Christian. 

In a televised broadcast, the counter coup splinter group spokesman for the MPSR , Captain Traore who was seen flanked by armed soldiers , said the coup was carried out in order

 to maintain national security caused mainly by Jihadist insurgency activities and to restore the territorial integrity of Burkina Faso. 

In a typical coup fashion, the MPSR splinter faction Spokeman announced a number of measures ;

1. The new junta dissolved the 8 months MPSR interim government led by Lt Col Paul Henry Damido

2. Suspended the Burkina Faso constitution with immediate effect 

3. Closed the law making National Assembly until further announcement

4. Dissolved the government 

5. Declared a national state of emergency from 9pm to 5 am 

6. All political activities are suspended in Burkina Faso 

7. All borders are closed 

8. A new constitution will be announced 

As usual, the junta assured the national and international community that it will continue to respect the international obligations of Burkina Faso and respect human rights. 

The new junta spokesman did not say if the interim president Lt Col Damiba was still alive, under house arrest or detained following a long day of gunfire Exchange heard across strategic locations in the capital Ouagadougou. 

 Burkina Faso is simply the modern coup Capital of the world with its 8th Coup since gaining independence in 1960. 

It all began in early January 3, 1960 when the military seized power following strikes and demonstrations against austerity. Independence President Maurice , was replaced by his Chief of Staff Aboubakar Sangoulé Lamizana.

On November 25, 1980, President President Sangoulé Lamizana was ousted after 14 years in power by a Military Committee for Recovery for National Progress (CMRPN), led one Colonel Saye Zerbo.

On November 7, 1982 a junta known as the Council for the Salvation of the People (CSP), headed by one Major Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo, overthrew Colonel Saye Zerbo. Captain Thomas Sankara, who played a significant role in the coup, became a beneficiary but only as Prime Minister. 

On August 4, 1983, Captain Thomas Sankara, and his brother in arms Thomas Sankara took power under the National Council of the Revolution" (CNR). 

On October 15, 1987, Blaise Compaoré, ousted Thomas Sankara and took power in a deadly coup: the father of the Burkinabe "revolution" was killed along with 12 of his collaborators.

On October 31, 2014, Blaise Compaoré was ousted after a failed attempt to change the constitution and remain in power.

On January 24, 2022, soldiers announced on state television that they had seized power and ousted President Marc Roch. This coup disease in Burkina Faso and the Sahel is unlikely to be cured.

David Otto.