Burkina Faso president ousted by military over security fears in second coup this year

MORE than a dozen heavily armed soldiers wearing fatigues and skeleton masks took over Burkina Faso’s state television late on Friday to announce the country’s second coup d’état this year.

A spokesman for the group named Capt Ibrahim Traore, a 34-year-old military official, as the new leader of the country, ousting President Paul-Henri Damiba, who came to power following a coup in January. Mr Traore said yesterday that Mr Damiba had taken refuge at a French army base and was planning a counter-offensive. The French embassy denied any involvement.

“We have decided to take our responsibilities, driven by a single ideal: the restoration of security and integrity of our territory,” Capt Kiswendsida Farouk Azaria Sorgho said in a statement on RBT television. The officer also announced the closure of borders, as well as the dissolution of the constitution and the government. He urged people to go about their day in peace.

The army removed the junta leader as he had failed to stop jihadist attacks, Capt Sorgho said. Islamist rebels have rattled the west African nation in recent years, targeting communities that formed civil defence groups.

Last year human rights deteriorated markedly with Islamist attacks on civilians and unlawful killings by state security forces and pro-government militias, according to a Human Rights Watch report.

Attacks on civilians occur regularly, with 50 people reported missing and 11 soldiers killed last month in a suspected jihadist attack.

The African Union urged the new government to refrain from committing acts of violence or from threatening the civilian population.

Gunshots could be heard and a large convoy of military vehicles with armed security forces was seen in the capital, Ouagadougou, a few hours after the announcement.

The coup has been largely celebrated by residents. Habibata Rouamba, a trader and activist, praised the move, stating that Mr Damiba had failed the country. “Since he came to power, the zones that were peaceful were attacked,” Mr Rouamba said. “He took power but then he betrayed us.”