Burkina Faso’s Former Transitional President Dismissed from Military for Conspiracy Against State Security

Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who briefly led Burkina Faso from January to September 2022, has been officially dismissed from the country’s armed forces along with fourteen other officers. The announcement, which follows allegations of severe misconduct, was made public on Monday evening, marking a major shift within the nation’s military leadership.

According to decrees signed by Burkina Faso’s current transitional leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Damiba and his fellow officers were discharged for actions that allegedly compromised “military dignity and reputation.” The dismissed officers are accused of engaging in “intelligence actions with a foreign power and terrorists” that were purportedly intended to undermine Burkina Faso’s security and advance external interests.

The decrees, dated October 30, 2024, list several prominent figures among those dismissed, including Lieutenant Colonel Évrard Somda, the former Chief of Staff of the National Gendarmerie, Colonel Bamouni Didier, the former Commander of National Theatre Operations, and Magistrate Commander Pousbila Zorma, who served as the military prosecutor of the Ouagadougou Military Tribunal. Local reports indicate that the majority of these officers are already in custody, facing charges of “conspiracy against state security.”

The decision to expel the officers is the latest move by Traoré’s administration to secure his regime amid recent threats and escalating tensions. Earlier in October, Traoré addressed the nation via radio, claiming that his government was in discussions with Togolese authorities regarding Damiba’s potential extradition. He accused the former leader of orchestrating destabilizing efforts, including an attack on August 24 in Barsalhogo that resulted in several casualties.

“Making a revolution means facing many challenges,” Traoré said on state television Monday, alluding to the persistent turmoil facing Burkina Faso’s transitional government. He acknowledged the increasing pressures both within the military and on the front lines of the country’s ongoing security crisis. “The pressure has mounted on the battlefield during October,” he added, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Traoré’s rise to power came in September 2022, after he led a coup to unseat Damiba, who had himself assumed leadership earlier that year following the ousting of then-President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. Since then, the political landscape in Burkina Faso has been marked by continued unrest and the shifting allegiances within the military, as Traoré’s government grapples with threats from both insurgent groups and alleged conspiracies within its ranks.

Burkina Faso, a nation of over 21 million, has faced longstanding issues with extremist violence and political instability, with a series of military-led transitions attempting to restore security and order. This latest move to remove key figures from the military may signal Traoré’s determination to consolidate power and address perceived threats from within.

As the transitional government continues to navigate these complex challenges, the path forward remains uncertain. With accusations of high-level misconduct and potential foreign interference, the situation adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile environment. The government has yet to disclose further details regarding the potential consequences for those dismissed, and whether more arrests or disciplinary actions are anticipated in the coming days.