Following an audacious coup d’etat in West Africa, an air of fear and tension hangs in Burkina Faso. The Presidential guard arrested the interim President Michael Kafando as well as the Prime minister Isaac Zida as the soldiers seized power.
Burkina Faso has tethered on the edge of uncertainty following the exile of long term ruler, Blaise Compaore. Elections were scheduled to hold in October with many of Compaore’s allies barred from running for positions.
After the Presidential guard seized power, they announced General Diendere as the Head of state. Diendere served as one time chief of staff to Compaore.
A night time curfew was imposed immediately but yesterday, protesters gathered in their numbers in Ouagadougou, the state capital to register their displeasure at the coup.
Reports indicate that soldiers attempted to disperse the crowd who threw stones at the soldiers. The soldiers opened fire on the protesters, killing three people and injuring 60 others.