Burkina Faso coup: Junta insists on staying on

Must Try

Trending

Nehanda Radio
Zimbabwe News and Internet Radio

The general who led a coup in Burkina Faso this week insists on remaining in power until polls are held, according to a document seen by the BBC.

The presidential guard, which supports the coup, remains in control in the capital
The presidential guard, which supports the coup, remains in control in the capital

Gen Gilbert Diendere made the proposal at talks brokered by West African mediators in the capital Ouagadougou.

On Saturday one of the mediators had spoken of a breakthrough and hinted at a new transition government reinstating interim President Michel Kafando.

At least 10 people have been killed in clashes since Thursday’s coup.

The overthrow of the civilian interim government – carried out by the presidential guard – was widely condemned. Burkina Faso has been suspended from the African Union.

Hotel violence

BBC West Africa reporter Thomas Fessy says the junta’s proposal is unlikely to signal a return to power of the civilian authorities.

The document, signed by Gen Diendere and exclusively seen by the BBC, says he should remain president until elections – currently due on 11 October.

This is in stark contradiction to the optimism shown on Saturday by one of the mediators, Benin President Yayi Boni, who suggested the presidential guard might give up power, our correspondent adds.

Gen Diendere was right-hand man to ex-president Blaise Compaore for nearly three decades
Gen Diendere was right-hand man to ex-president Blaise Compaore for nearly three decades

Gen Diendere was chief of staff of former President Blaise Compaore, who was deposed in a popular uprising last October.

Meanwhile violence erupted on Sunday at the hotel in Ouagadougou, where the talks have been taking place.

About 50 coup supporters burst into the lobby of the Laico hotel, injuring several people.

“They invaded the hotel,” an eyewitness told Reuters news agency. “They attacked ex-opposition members as they arrived. One had to be saved from the crowd by security forces.”

Outside the building opponents of the coup held a protest but were later dispersed by security forces.

Mr Kafando (L) and Prime Minister Lt Col Isaac Zida (R) took power 10 months ago
Mr Kafando (L) and Prime Minister Lt Col Isaac Zida (R) took power 10 months ago

Mr Kafando, who was initially held by the coup leaders, is now free. However, other questions remain, including the fate of Prime Minister Isaac Zida, who was also detained.

Mr Compaore is currently in exile and was accused of committing widespread abuses, and trying to change the constitution to extend his term in office.

Some of his key allies had been barred from contesting the election.

Gen Diendere has said he has had no contact with Mr Compaore and will do everything to “avoid violence that could plunge the country into chaos”. BBC

Related Articles

Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traoré during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, May 10, 2025, Moscow, Russia. (Picture by Stanislav Krasilnikov via (Russian International News Agency (RIA Novosti) archive, image # / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

Burkina Faso military junta bans all political parties, claiming they cause divisions

0
OUAGADOUGOU – Burkina Faso’s ruling military junta has ordered the dissolution of all political parties, whose activities had already been suspended since the army took power in 2022.
Burkinabe soldiers gather necessary documentation prior to their deployment to Mali in support of exercise Flintlock 10 in Ouagadougou, Burkino Faso, May 1, 2010. (Picture via English: Master Sgt. Jeremiah Erickson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Dozens of women, children among 170 executed in Burkina Faso attacks

0
Some 170 people including women and children have been "executed" in attacks on three villages in Burkina Faso, a public prosecutor has said.

Burkina Faso thanks Russia for ‘priceless gift’ of 25,000 tonnes of wheat

3
Burkina Faso says it has received 25,000 tonnes of free wheat from Russia. Confirming the news on Friday, one minister called the delivery a "priceless gift".

Gabon coup: Why young Africans are celebrating military takeovers

1
By Paul Melly What on earth is happening in West and Central Africa - and in former French colonies in particular? Six years ago the departure into exile of the electorally-defeated Gambian ruler Yahya Jammeh left every country in West Africa under multi-party constitutional rule. In the centre of the continent some authoritarian regimes survived, but the era of military takeovers seemed long past. Yet the past three years have seen seven coups in five countries - plus the strong-armed military assumption of power in Chad. There are common factors that have, at the very least, created conditions in which soldiers have felt they can step in with relative impunity, and often with the support of a large slice of the urban population, especially frustrated young people.
Burkina Faso's new military leader Ibrahim Traore (Picture via BF1 Television, via YouTube)

Burkina Faso suspends third French media outlet in under 8 months

0
Burkinabè authorities should immediately reverse the suspension of French television news channel La Chaîne Info (LCI) and stop censoring local and foreign media coverage of the jihadist insurgency in Burkina Faso and the Sahel region, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Monday.

Don't miss a story

Breaking News straight to your inbox.

No spam just news !

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Donate to Nehanda Radio

Latest Recipes

Latest

More Recipes Like This