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Burkina Faso disbands unit behind failed coup

Gilbert Diendere, who staged the botched putsch in Burkina Faso, has described it as “the biggest mistake”, saying he is ready to face the consequences of his action.

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The Council’s statement called for “the resumption of the transition without delay, including the holding of free, fair and credible elections, in accordance with the Constitution and Traditional Charter of Burkina Faso“.

The interim president overthrown in a coup last week in Burkina Faso says he’s now back in power.

The coup and resulting unrest claimed the lives of at least 10 people while more than 100 were wounded.

On Friday, the first full meeting of the government since Mr Kafando’s reinstatement decided to disband the presidential guard (RSP) and to dismiss the minister in charge of security.

Members of the presidential guard unit agreed to leave their positions in the capital, remain in their barracks and said they would allow an inventory of their weapons. Cabinet meetings normally take place at the presidential palace, where the two interim leaders had been arrested by the presidential guard on September 16.

Kafando fired the security minister and established a commission to identify the coup leaders. Zida said an investigation would bring to justice those who are guilty.

The unit has 1,200 well-armed and well-trained men, loyal to Blaise Compaore, the country’s long-time ruler who was ousted in a popular uprising previous year.

President Mohammadu Buhari has said that military coup d’état were not longer acceptable in today’s Africa, stressing it was punishable to take over political power by force.

The presidency has revealed how Nigeria played a crucial role in restoring democracy in Burkina Faso following the extraordinary session of ECOWAS’ Authority of Heads of State and Governments in Abuja headed by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

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To this end, the Ghanaian government reiterates the need to uphold the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the immediate and unconditional release of the Transitional President and Prime Minister as well as the restoration of the transitional process.

Coup leader Gen Gilbert Diendere has admitted the takeover was a mistake