Burkina Faso: Junta leader removed in coup

Military officers announced the removal from office of Burkina Faso’s junta leader 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.

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.

AFP

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