Coup leader, Sandaogo Damiba, turns self to president in Burkina Faso

The leader of the military coup in Burkina Faso, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba,  on Wednesday, turned himself to president of the country. Damiba was sworn in as president three weeks after President Roch Marc Christian Kabore was ousted from office in the coup led by the current office occupier.

Damiba was administered oath of office before top constitutional body to “preserve, respect, uphold and defend the Constitution”, the nation’s laws and a “fundamental act” of key decisions approved by the junta.

Damiba was inaugurated in a small room at the offices of the Constitutional Council without the usual ceremony of fanfare in a live telecast.

The military junta had announced on January 31 that Damiba would be appointed president for a transitional period, assisted by two vice presidents.

The army had struck on January 24, ousted the president, and took over office. The takeover was led by Damiba, 41, to oust Kabore out of office over wide anger on the inability to contain  killer jihadist terrorists.