Burkina Faso’s military on Thursday warned the people of the country not to circulate rumors and false information amid claims that France was in talks with some army generals to remove the newly appointed junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore from power, reported The BBC.
“We urge you to freely go on with your activities. We especially urge you to refrain from any rumours and misinformation and remain true to our values of hospitality, tolerance and communal living,” a statement read on state-run RTB TV by a military officer said.
Burkina Faso’s ministry of communication also called the rumours unfounded and urged citizens to remain calm, and distance themselves from misinformation and trust official channels only.
The warning was given after people gathered in the capital on Thursday to show their support for the new junta leader. Several hundred people, mostly young men, gathered in front of the national radio and television centre in the city.
The protests followed rumours that a general in the army could replace Capt Traore as head of state. Traore was declared president on Wednesday after a two-day standoff that ousted Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba in the West African country’s second coup in less than nine months.
Burkina Faso plunged into political turmoil last week after the military decided to remove Damiba from power due to his failure to deal with a worsening armed uprising.
Burkina Faso’s military dissolved the transitional government and suspended the constitution. The 34-year-old Traore said in a televised address that the step was taken as Damiba was unable to deal with an armed uprising in the country.
On Sunday, Damiba stepped down from his post after army officers and fled to Togo. In January, Damiba along with the armed forces had launched a coup that ousted President Roch Kabore and appointed himself transitional head of state.
