Burkina Faso coup leader takes office as interim president

Ibrahim Traore takes an oath of office on Oct. 21, 2022, becoming interim president of Burkina Faso after leading a military coup last month. (Credit: Screenshot - africanews/YouTube) — Ibrahim Traore takes an oath of office on Oct. 21, 2022, becoming interim president of Burkina Faso after leading a military coup last month. (Credit: Screenshot – africanews/YouTube)

The military leader who led a coup in Burkina Faso, ousting Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, took office as the interim president today.

Ibrahim Traore took an oath office in the nation’s capital Ouagadougou, pledging to fight off jihadists and reclaim areas taken over by insurgents.

Last month’s coup led by 34-year-old Traore was the second coup in Burkina Faso in less than nine months.

Many civilians were frustrated with failures to prevent jihadist insurgents, who were blamed for killing thousands and forcing millions from their homes.

Damiba seized power in January with promises to quell the insurgency.

The United Nations said Burkina Faso is suffering from a humanitarian crisis, with food shortages so low some women and children have been relegated to weeks of eating only leaves and salt.

According to the new charter, Traore’s interim presidency will end when a president is elected and takes office in 2024.

More about the crisis in Burkina Faso can be found here.