Colonel Major Gabriel Somé is a high-ranking officer in the Burkinabè Armed Forces who has played a critical, though largely behind-the-scenes, role in the sequence of military takeovers that have defined Burkina Faso’s turbulent political landscape since 2022.
Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Gabriel Somé |
| Nationality | Burkinabè |
| Highest Rank | Colonel Major |
| Key Position | Chief of Staff of the Army (Former); Key member of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR) |
| Role in 2022 Coups | Instrumental military leader under the transition governments |
| Military Background | Infantry Officer; Extensive experience in counter-terrorism operations in the Sahel |
Military Career and Counter-Terrorism
-
Infantry Officer: Colonel Major Somé is a senior infantry officer with a long career in the Burkinabè Armed Forces. His experience includes commanding various battalions and being heavily involved in the nation’s struggle against escalating jihadist insurgency in the North and East.
-
Chief of Staff: Prior to the initial 2022 coup, he held prominent military positions, serving at one point as the Chief of Staff of the Army and commanding one of the vital military regions.
Role in the 2022 Coups
Gabriel Somé was not the public face of either coup in 2022, but he was a critical figure in the military structure that backed both transitional governments.
-
Under Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba: After the January 2022 coup that overthrew President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, Colonel Major Somé was appointed to high-level security positions within the resulting junta, the MPSR (Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration), led by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba.
-
Under Ibrahim Traoré: When Captain Ibrahim Traoré led the second coup in September 2022, overthrowing Damiba, Somé was one of the officers who publicly rallied support for the new junta led by Traoré. This demonstrated his pragmatic approach and his centrality to the continued functioning of the military leadership, regardless of which group was nominally in charge.
-
Senior Influence: He has remained a powerful and influential figure, often seen as representing the seniority and institutional experience within an army now led by younger officers like Captain Traoré.
Political Stance and Current Situation
Colonel Major Somé, like the other military leaders in the MPSR, is fundamentally committed to securing Burkina Faso against the ongoing terrorist threats. His public statements consistently align with the junta’s focus on national sovereignty, anti-imperialism, and the war against terror. While he holds a powerful position, he is not the public figurehead of the transition, preferring to exert his influence within the military and security apparatus.