![soldiers and people during burkina faso's military coup](https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/burkina-faso-military-coup-sahel-region-crisis-1.jpg?w=519&h=259&crop=1)
Just eight months after seizing power in Burkina Faso, Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba conceded the presidency to his rival, Capt. Ibrahim Traore, in a countercoup. What the change in leadership will mean for Burkina Faso’s deteriorating security situation and transition back to democratic elections is unclear.