Burkina Faso’s military on Monday declared says it has seized power, ousted President Roch Kaboré, and dissolved the country’s government and parliament, reported The BBC.
An army officer made the announcement on state television, citing the country’s deteriorating security situation for the military takeover. The statement was signed by Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba.
He said the takeover had been carried out without violence and those detained have been kept in a secure location. He also added that Burkina Faso’s borders had been blocked; a nationwide night curfew has been imposed and pledged a return to constitutional order in a reasonable time.
The coup announcement was made after mutinous military troops rose up at several army bases across the West African state on Sunday. The troops demanded the sacking of military chiefs and more resources to fight militants linked to the Islamic State (IS) group and al-Qaeda.
The army said President Kaboré had failed to unite the nation and to deal effectively with the security crisis that threatens the foundation of the nation. Kabore has not appeared in public since heavy gunfire erupted on Sunday. His whereabouts were unknown on Monday.
UN chief António Guterres said he strongly condemned any attempted takeover of government by the force of arms, calling the events a coup. He called on the military to ensure the protection and the physical integrity of Mr. Kabore.
The African Union and the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, have also condemned the forceful takeover of power.
African Union Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat called on Burkina Faso’s military troops to ensure the “physical integrity” of the president and his detained ministers and urged for the crisis to be resolved through dialogue.
The ECOWAS said it holds the soldiers responsible for the deposed president’s well-being.
Burkina Faso is the third West African country to witness a military takeover in recent years after Guinea and Mali.
