Coup: Burkina Faso army captain announces overthrow of Junta leader
Vondigest reports that Military officers announced the removal from office the Military Junta leader of Burkina Faso in a coup on Friday.
The dismissal of Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who himself came to power in a coup last January, was announced in a statement read out on national television.
The rebelling military also announced the closure of borders from midnight, as well as the suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of the government.
They declared the country’s new strongman as Captain Ibrahim Traore.
This online platform gathered that around 15 soldiers in fatigues appeared on the Radio-Television broadcaster shortly before 8:00pm local time and read out the statement.
“We have decided to take our responsibilities, driven by a single ideal – the restoration of security and integrity of our territory”, they said.
A curfew from 9:00pm to 5:00am was also announced.
Earlier on Friday, the government said an “internal crisis” within the army was behind troop deployments in key areas of the capital, and said negotiations were underway after shots rang out before dawn.
Reporting from the capital Ouagadougou shortly after the takeover announcement, FRANCE 24’s Sophie Lamotte said a curfew has been imposed from 9pm to 5am local time.
“The streets are very calm and there’s a very strong military presence in the capital, especially surrounding the presidential palace and the telecommunication headquarters,” she said.
Earlier on Friday, gunfire rang out in Ouagadougou and the state broadcaster went off air amid fears of a coup. Soldiers were seen at the city’s main crossroads, especially in the Ouaga 2000 neighbourhood, but also outside the state television centre.
AFP
