Burkina Faso Army Captain, Ibrahim Traore on Friday, ousted military leader Paul-Henri Damiba and dissolved the government and constitution,
According to Captain Ibrahim Traoré, a group of officers decided to remove Damiba due to his inability to deal with a worsening Islamist insurgency.
He announced that Burkina Faso’s borders were closed indefinitely and that all political and civil society activities were suspended.
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No fewer than 15 soldiers appeared on the Radio-Television broadcaster at about 8pm 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.
Reporting from the capital Ouagadougou shortly after the takeover announcement, FRANCE 24’s Sophie Lamotte said a curfew has been imposed from 9pm to 5am local time.
“The streets are very calm and there’s a very strong military presence in the capital, especially surrounding the presidential palace and the telecommunication headquarters,” she said.
Earlier on Friday, gunfire rang out in Ouagadougou and the state broadcaster went off air amid fears of a coup.
Soldiers were seen at the city’s main crossroads, especially in the Ouaga 2000 neighbourhood, but also outside the state television centre.
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