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Burkina Faso crisis: Military officer removes Lt Col Paul-Henri Damiba

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 30 Sep 2022

Burkina Faso crisis: Military officer removes Lt Col Paul-Henri Damiba

Image: Michele Cattani

An army captain in Burkina Faso has announced on national television that he has ousted military leader Lt Col Paul-Henri Damiba, triggering yet another moment of tension in the country.

Ibrahim Traore cited Lt Col Damiba's inability to deal with an Islamist insurgency as the reason, reports BBC.

He also announced that borders have been shut down indefinitely.

He said all political activities have been suspended.

Lt Col Damiba's junta overthrew an elected government in January, citing a failure to halt Islamist attacks, reports BBC.

A curfew has been announced in the country  from 21:00 to 05:00.

Lt Col Damiba's whereabouts are not known.

The US Embassy in the country said in the country said in a statement: "Members of the Burkina Faso military announced on national television that the transitional government had been dissolved. They announced a nationwide curfew from 21:00 to 05:00 local time with no stated end date. Air and land borders are reported closed."

The Embassy 'strongly' urged U.S. citizens in Ouagadougou to limit their movements and follow the curfew.

"Embassy personnel continue to shelter in place," read the statement.