Soldiers announce dissolution of government in Burkina Faso

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso Members of Burkina Faso’s presidential guard on Thursday announced the dissolution of the government on national television, saying President Michel Kafando had been ousted amid demonstrations against the coup.

The transitional period that was due to lead to Oct. 11 elections following the fall of president Blaise Compaore in October 2014 has been cancelled, said a spokesman for the Presidential Security Regiment, whose name was not known.

He said the leaders of the coup were seeking negotiations “to form a government which will dedicate itself to restore political order in the country” before elections were held.

Soldiers from the Presidential Security Regiment interrupted a cabinet session on Wednesday, arresting Kafando, Prime Minister Isaac Zida and several other ministers.

Kafando, Zida and two other ministers were then taken to a military base inside the presidential compound, radio broadcaster Omega FM reported before soldiers closed the station on Wednesday.

Demonstrations against the coup continued, with soldiers firing shots to disperse protesters arriving on the central Place de la Revolution, witnesses said.

One man fell into a ditch during a demonstration near the presidential palace late Wednesday, but no other injuries have been reported.

The 1,300-member presidential guard is believed to be unsatisfied with plans to dissolve it and integrate it into the military police.

Analysts said the coup may have been staged only by a part of the presidential guard, loyal to Compaore. Others within the guard are thought to side with Zida.

The leaders of the coup said they were seeking “inclusive” elections, an indication that they disapproved of a ban that had prevented Compaore loyalists from contesting the elections set for Oct. 11.

The coup may have also taken place as a way for soldiers to avoid being put on trial for involvement in repression of the opposition in the Compaore era.

Kafando was chosen interim president in November, after Compaore fled the country following massive protests against his plans to extend his 27-year rule.

The African Union threatened Burkina Faso with sanctions unless power was handed over to civilians, and an agreement was reached on a transitional period.

(c)2015 Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH (Hamburg, Germany)

Visit Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH (Hamburg, Germany) at www.dpa.de/English.82.0.html

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.