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0 Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou | Burkina Faso’s president detained at military camp by mutinous soldiers in apparent coup.
President Roch Kabore has been detained at a military camp by mutinying soldiers, according to four security sources and a West African diplomat.
It comes after soldiers staged mutinies at several army barracks on Sunday, prompting fears of a coup in the conflict-hit country, according to Al-Jazeera. Later on Sunday, heavy gunfire was heard around the president’s residence in the capital Ouagadougou.
Soldiers have carried out mutinies at several military bases announcing a series of demands this week.
Some troops in the West African nation have demanded the sacking of military chiefs and more resources to fight Islamist militants.
Gunfire had been heard overnight near the presidential palace and at barracks in the capital, Ouagadougou.
The government on Sunday denied suggestions of a military coup or that the president was under arrest.
President Kaboré was detained at a military camp by mutinying soldiers, foreign media reports say.
Video from the capital appears to show armoured vehicles – reportedly used by the presidency – peppered with bullet holes and abandoned in the street.
Mobile internet services have been disrupted, though fixed-line internet and domestic wi-fi are working. Soldiers have also surrounded the state television headquarters and there was no live programming on Monday.
With no official comment from the military or the government, people are anxiously waiting for an official statement on the situation, our reporter says.
On Sunday, hundreds of people came out in support of the soldiers and some of them set fire to the ruling party’s headquarters. A night-time curfew has since been imposed.
The French embassy in the capital has issued a statement saying the situation remains confused, and advising French citizens not to go outside unnecessarily, and never at night. French schools will stay closed and two Air France flights have been cancelled, it said.
The president’s location is unknown, but AFP news agency quoted security sources as saying that he and other government ministers are at the Sangoulé Lamizana barracks in the capital.
There has been no communication from President Kaboré himself since Sunday night, when he posted to social media congratulating the national football team on their win in an Africa Cup of Nations match.
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