Categories: International

Burkina Faso army captain announces overthrow of military government

Soldiers have confirmed a fresh coup in Burkina Faso. Armed men who wore masks appeared on television in on Friday night to confirm the ouster of President Paul-Henri Damiba.

This is the second coup in the West African country this year.

The announcement was made hours after report of gunfire in the capital Ouagadougou, an explosion near the presidential palace, and interruptions to state television programming.

Burkina Faso’s new leader is army Captain Ibrahim Traore. In a scene that replicated Damiba’s own power grab in a January 24 coup, Traore appeared on television surrounded by soldiers and announced the government was dissolved, the constitution suspended and the borders closed. He declared a nightly curfew.

READ ALSO:

Traore said a group of officers who helped Damiba seize power in January had decided to remove their leader due to his inability to deal with the Islamists. Damiba ousted former President Roch Kabore for the same reason.

“Faced with the deteriorating situation, we tried several times to get Damiba to refocus the transition on the security question,” said the statement signed by Traore and read out by another officer on television.

The statement said Damiba had rejected proposals by the officers to reorganise the army and instead continued with the military structure that had led to the fall of the previous regime.

Trends Admin

Recent Posts

BREAKING: FEC proposes N47.9 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year

BREAKING: FEC proposes N47.9 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year The federal government has unveiled…

4 mins ago

EFCC arrests ex-NCMB boss over $35m energy project fraud

EFCC arrests ex-NCMB boss over $35m energy project fraud The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)…

13 mins ago

FG gets fresh $134m loan from AfDB for agric projects

FG gets fresh $134m loan from AfDB for agric projects The Federal Government has secured a…

17 mins ago

Court adjourns Yahaya Bello’s trial till Nov 27

Court adjourns Yahaya Bello’s trial till Nov 27 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)…

38 mins ago

We are understaffed, ICPC boss laments

We are understaffed, ICPC boss laments Musa Adamu Aliyu, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt…

43 mins ago

Edo Gov Okpebholo freezes govt accounts, reverses ministry’s name

Edo Gov Okpebholo freezes govt accounts, reverses ministry’s name Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has directed…

51 mins ago