A counter coup d’etat started on 30 September 2022, which eventually led to the removal of Interim President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba from power. Damiba had risen to power in January 2022, after leading a coup to overthrow the elected government of Roch Marc Christian Kabore. This is the ninth coup since Burkina Faso’s independence from France in 1960 and the third successful attempt in the last eight years. As at the submission of this briefing report, Captain Ibrahim Traore has taken over as interim leader.

This report looked at the background, scenarios and likely outcomes after this recent coup.