By John Ikani
A Lieutenant Colonel appointed to oversee security in Burkina Faso’s capital has emerged as the leader of a military coup that overthrew President Roch Kabore after heavy gunfights in Ouagadougou.
Here are 5 things Heritage Times know about the strongman.
1. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba has been at the forefront of the country’s fight against Islamist militants
2. The 41-year-old wrote a book on the subject last year – West African Armies and Terrorism: Uncertain Responses?
3. The lieutenant-colonel studied in France – at a military academy and a prestigious institution where he got a Master’s in criminal sciences
4. He opposed a previous coup in 2015, which lasted seven days
5. He started his career in the presidential guard (RPS) – the now-disbanded unit was seen as powerful during the Presidency of Blaise Compaoré, who was overthrown in 2014 amid protests.
