On Sunday, heavy gunfire was reported in Burkina Faso’s capital, following by the arrest of President Roch Marc Christian Kabore by the Burkinabe Armed Forces.
The Burkinabe military announced a complete lockdown of the West African country on Monday and the erasure of the government. The measures included closure of the borders and suspension of the country’s constitution, as well as the dissolution of the government, the National Assembly and Kabore’s office.
The statement added that Kabore and the others arrested were in a safe location and that the coup had been bloodless. It added that Kabore had been unable to unite the country in the face of challenges.
The statement was attributed to Lt Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, but read on television by Capt. Sidsore Kaber Ouedraogo.
The military said the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration would work to establish a calendar “acceptable to everyone” for holding new elections, but gave no further details.
African international institutions, including the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), have condemned the takeover and called for national dialogue.
Editor: Steve.
