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January 28, 2022

Burkina Faso Coup Leader Paul-Henri Damiba, Who Was Trained by U.S. Military, Gives First Speech
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The Economic Community of West African States is holding an emergency
summit today to discuss the bloc's response to the recent military coup
in Burkina Faso. On Thursday, coup leader Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri
Damiba gave his first televised address since he led a mutiny that
deposed President Roch Kaboré Monday.

Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba: "It is clear that the main priority remains
security. We must significantly reduce the areas under terrorist
influence and the impact of violent extremism by giving the security
forces and the Volunteers for Homeland Defense the will to fight, and to
go on the offensive."

According to U.S. Africa Command, or AFRICOM, Damiba received training
on multiple occasions from the U.S. military. Since 2008, African
military officers trained at American so-called peacekeeping programs
have successfully led or attempted at least nine coups across West
Africa.


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