Burkina Faso’s army captain announced on national television that he has deposed military leader Lt Col Paul-Henri Damiba.
Lt Col Damiba’s inability to deal with an Islamist insurgency, according to Ibrahim Traore, was the reason.
He also declared that borders would be closed indefinitely and that all political activities would be halted.
In January, Lt Col Damiba’s junta deposed an elected government, citing a failure to halt Islamist attacks.
However, his administration has been unable to put a stop to jihadist violence. On Monday, 11 soldiers were killed while escorting a convoy of civilian vehicles in the country’s north.
Lt Col Damiba had earlier urged residents to remain calm after heavy gunfire was heard in parts of the capital.
More than 20 armed soldiers, most of whom had their faces covered, were seen on state television shortly before 20:00 local time.
“With the situation deteriorating, we tried several times to persuade Damiba to refocus the transition on the security issue,” Traore said in a statement.
“Damiba’s actions gradually convinced us that his ambitions were diverting us from our goal.” “We decided to remove Damiba today,” it said.
A curfew was also imposed from 21:00 to 05:00.
The whereabouts of Lt Col Damiba are unknown.
The US expressed “deep concern” about the events in Burkina Faso and urged its citizens to limit their travel in the country.
“We call on all actors to return to calm and restraint,” a State Department spokesperson said.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the move, saying it “reaffirms its unequivocal opposition to any assumption or retention of power through unconstitutional means.”
Shots and explosions were heard in the capital, Ouagadougou, before dawn, some of them near the presidential palace and main military barracks.
The normally bustling city was mostly deserted after sunrise, with soldiers on the streets blocking some roads and guarding key strategic points.
State television had been turned off, and more gunfire could be heard later in the day.
As rumours of a coup spread, Lt Col Damiba described a “confused situation” caused by “mood swings” among some soldiers.
The military leader urged people to remain calm and avoid social media speculation, saying that “negotiations are underway to restore calm and serenity.”
Also read: African countries are forced to spend hugely on security
Lt Col Damiba deposed President Roch Kaboré in January, claiming that he had failed to deal with rising militant Islamist violence.
“We have more than enough to win this war,” the junta chief declared after being sworn in as president in February.
However, many citizens do not feel safer, and protests have taken place across the country this week.
On Friday afternoon, some protesters took to the streets of the capital, calling for Lt Col Damiba’s removal.
In 2015, an Islamist insurgency erupted in Burkina Faso, killing thousands and displacing an estimated two million people.
Since its independence in 1960, the country has seen eight successful coups.
Who is Lt-Col Damiba?
More than 20 armed soldiers – most with their faces covered – appeared on state TV shortly before 20:00 local time.
“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.
“Damiba’s actions gradually convinced us that his ambitions were diverting away from what we set out to do. We decided this day to remove Damiba,” it said.
A curfew from 21:00 to 05:00 was also announced.
Lt Col Damiba’s whereabouts are not known.
The United States said it was “deeply concerned” by events in Burkina Faso and encouraged its citizens to limit movements in the country.
“We call for a return to calm and restraint by all actors,” a State Department spokesperson said.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the move, stating it “reaffirms its unreserved opposition to any taking or maintaining of the power by unconstitutional means”.
Before dawn, shots and explosions were heard in the capital, Ouagadougou, some of them coming from near the presidential palace and main military barracks.
After sunrise, the normally bustling city was largely deserted, with soldiers on the streets blocking some roads and guarding key strategic points.
State television had stopped broadcasting and more gunfire was heard later in the day.
Lt Col Damiba said there was a “confused situation” created by “mood swings” among some soldiers as rumours of a coup intensified.
Urging people to remain calm and avoid social media speculation, the military leader said there were “negotiations underway to bring back calm and serenity”.
Copyright: BBC
Follow Clicks ‘n Likes On Facebook for more updates
