Burkina Faso’s Junta Leader Inaugurated As President

Burkina Faso strongman Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba has been announced as president, just after after he led a coup to remove elected head of state Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

In a televised ceremony, Damiba swore an oath before the country’s top constitutional body to “preserve, respect, uphold and defend the Constitution”, the nation’s laws and a “fundamental act” of key decisions approved by the junta.

Damiba wore a camouflage uniform and a red beret, and also a sash in the colours of Burkina’s national flag.

On January 24, Damiba, 41, led disgruntled officers to force out Kabore following public anger over his handling of a bloody jihadist insurgency. 

Last week, the Constitutional Council formally determined that Damiba was president, head of state and supreme commander of the armed forces.

The move confirmed an announcement by the junta on January 31 that Damiba would be appointed to those roles for a transitional period, and be assisted by two vice presidents.