Burkina Faso junta restores constitution; army, spy chiefs fired

Burkina Faso’s military junta have made changes to the top hierarchy of the country’s security structure a week after taking over.

The army and intelligence chiefs have been dismissed with coup leader Lt Col Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, taking the role of new army chief. He replaces Brig. Gen. Gilbert Ouedraogo.

Damiba has officially been appointed President of the country.

According to a BBC report, the junta – officially known as the Patriotic Movement for Preservation and Restoration (MPSR) – also sacked intelligence chief Sr Col Francois Ouedraogo.

He was replaced by Sr Col Cyprien Kabore, a member of the junta, the report added.

On late Monday, January 31, 2022, the junta also restored the country’s constitution. It was suspended after the overthrow of President Christian Roch Marc Kabore early last week.