OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso, Sept. 17 (UPI) — The transitional government of Burkina Faso was dissolved on Thursday after a coup d’etat led by the country’s Regiment of Presidential Security one month ahead of general elections.
Presidential guard officers loyal to former President Blaise Compaore, who ruled for 27 years, stormed a cabinet meeting at the presidential palace in Ouagadougou, the capital, and arrested interim President Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Isaac Zida.
Shooting was reported in the capital where protesters were demanding the release of the government officials.The Balai Citoyen civil society group said that more than 10 people have been killed.
“We demand that the regular army, the defense forces and security take their historic responsibilities in the face of this armed aggression against the people of Burkina Faso and its institutions,” Balai Citoyen said in a statement.
Lt. Col. Mamadou Bamba on state television said a new “national democratic council” had taken control of Burkina Faso to end the “deviant regime,” adding that “peaceful and inclusive elections” will be held after wide-ranging talks.
Gen. Gilbert Diendere, who was chief of staff to Campaore, has been named as the country’s new leader.
Compaore, who is in exile, stepped down in October last year after protesters demanded his resignation. The military took control before the transitional government led by Kafando was appointed.
Several other government ministers were arrested by the presidential guard, which was led by Compaore during his decades in power.
The Regiment of Presidential Security is considered an elite military unit that will not find the support of the common people of the West African country, BBC News’ West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy reported.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon was “outraged” by the coup d’etat and called for the “immediate release” of Kafando and Zida.
“This incident is a flagrant violation of Burkina Faso’s constitution and transitional charter,” the UN said in a statement. “The United Nations stands firmly behind the transitional authorities and President Kafando.”
Burkina Faso, a former French colony, is one of the poorest countries in the world. Elections were to be held on Oct. 11.
A commission suggested disbanding the Regiment of Presidential Security two days before the military takeover. Key allies to Campaore were previously barred from contesting the election.
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