The military in Burkina Faso has announced the dissolution of the country’s transitional government.
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This presidential guard unit of over 1,300 officers, considered as the best trained unit in Burkina Faso, was accused of being responsible for numerous assassinations and disappearances during the former regime.
The apparent coup – which was condemned by the United Nations, the USA government and former colonial power France – has dampened hopes of a smooth transition in Burkina Faso, which became a beacon for democratic aspirations in Africa after protesters ousted Compaore.
Those killed were shot dead by presidential guard forces in the capital, a civil society group, Balai Citoyen, said, although the claim could not be independently verified.
-Lt-Col Bamba said wide-ranging talks were being held to form a new interim government that would organise “peaceful and inclusive elections”.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson yesterday, the Secretary-General voiced his outrage at the detention of the country’s leaders and called for their immediate release, adding that the incident is a flagrant violation of Burkina Faso’s Constitution and Transitional Charter.
Hundreds of people took to the streets of the capital Ouagadougou late on Wednesday to protest against the seizure of Kafando and the prime minister.
The interim administration was supposed to organize elections on October. 11, nearly a year after Compaore fled the country to neighboring Ivory Coast.
The communique also said that the land and air borders were now closed, and that a curfew would be in effect from 7 p.m.to 6 a.m.
The coup leaders may also have sought to avoid being put on trial for involvement in repression of the opposition in the Compaore era, analysts said.
Head of Burkina Faso’s presidential guard Gilbert Diendere waits for his chauffeur to arrive after the swearing-in ceremony of newly named President Michel Kafondo in Ouagadougou November 21, 2014.
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There has been a wave of protests and demonstrations across Burkina Faso with labor unions calling nationwide strikes, and there have been at least eight people admitted to the hospital according to reporting by the New York Times.
