A war of words follows the military coup in Burkina Faso as both the army and transitional powers claim leadership of the country.
ADVERTISEMENTFrance has condemned the military coup in Burkina Faso and urged its residents in the country to stay indoors.
The former colonial power called for the release of those arrested, and for the return to government of interim authorities.
“(President François Hollande) calls for the immediate liberation of all those arrested, for the interim authorities to be put back in place and for the continuation of the electoral process,” the French leader’s office said in a statement.
Contrasting claims of leadership
Moumina Cheriff Sy, the head of the
West African country’s transitional parliament, echoed the call and announced he would assume leadership until President Michel Kafando was freed. He asked the military to take “all measures” to stop the takeover.
However, coup leaders have named the Presidential Guard’s General Diendere the new head of the transitional council.
“The patriotic and democratic forces bringing together all the components of the nation under the National Council for Democracy (CND) have decided to put an end to the deviant transitional regime,” said one spokesman. “The transitional president is removed from office and the transitional government dissolved”.
Transitional leaders arrested
Kafando, Prime Minister Isaac Zida and several others were arrested by guards loyal to ousted President Blaise Compaoré, angry about a new law forbidding Compaoré‘s supporters from standing in October’s election.
Curfew and border closures
People have taken to the streets to protest against the actions of the military. In addition to the overthrow of power, it has announced a night-time curfew will be put in place and the country’s borders closed.