The military on Thursday morning dissolved the nation’s cabinet and announced on national television that it now controls the country.
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In his announcement, Lt-Col Bamba said wide-ranging talks were being held to form a new interim government that would organise “peaceful and inclusive elections”.
Their public statement confirmed what many suspected Wednesday when the transitional president and prime minister were arrested and barricades were erected around the presidency.
The presidential guard gave no explanation for its move, which came less than a month before an election due to complete a transition back to democracy after a popular uprising toppled Burkina’s long-time ruler previous year .
He told AFP the president and the premier would “be released at the right time”.
Burkina Faso, a former French colony, is one of the poorest countries in the world.
Lt. Col. Bamba said it was necessary to “put an end” to the temporary government, which he said had deviated from the goals of the October 2014 revolt.
French President Francois Hollande and European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini called for the release of the interim leaders and the re-establishment of the transitional process.
Revolution Square – the epicentre of protests against Compaore – was empty apart from military patrols, with the streets of the capital also deserted.
“The United States strongly condemns any attempt to seize power through extra-constitutional means or resolve internal political disagreements using force”, State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.
Compaore, who is in exile, stepped down in October a year ago after protesters demanded his resignation.
The power grab led by the presidential guard unfolded three days after a government committee recommended dissolving the elite unit, which was a pillar of Compaore’s 27-year rule and has repeatedly meddled in politics since his fall.
The crowds had gathered with whistles and vuvuzelas near the palace, shouting “Down with the RSP”.
Compaore supporters had been banned from running under a controversial law passed in April that made anyone backing “unconstitutional change” ineligible to run. Today’s coup is being condemned by the United Nations , the US and regional organizations, as well as former colonial power, France.
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Burkina Faso’s presidential guard announced the dissolution of the government on state television, on Thursday.
