Can Burkina Faso solve its political instability?

Burkina Faso is no stranger to coups. It’s had seven military takeovers since its independence from France in 1960.

On September 30, a group of junior soldiers toppled a fellow military ruler in Burkina Faso.

Announcing their takeover on national television, the putschists accused Lt. Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba of failing to quell jihadist attacks in the country.

Damiba had been in charge since he and the military toppled President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré in January.

This time the interim leader is 34-year-old Ibrahim Traoré.

So, two coups in just eight months, with both leaders claiming to want to sort out the issues in Burkina Faso, but clearly not finding the right solution. Just yet.

Alan Kasujja is asking whether Burkina Faso can solve its political instability.

He’s been speaking to Burkinabé journalist Ouézen Louis Oulon and Niagalé Bagayoko, a security expert on the Sahel region.