Burkinabes in support of coup that ousted President Kabore
The people of Burkina Faso are reportedly excited about the coup d’etat that ousted President Roch Kabore from office this week. To show their full support, it is been reported that there is a planned rally scheduled for the weekend in support of the military junta.
President Roch Kabore submitted his resignation letter before the military announced a takeover of government in the landlocked West African nation. He tendered in his resignation after he was arrested by the military following reports of mutiny at military bases across the country on Sunday which later led to gunfire around the Presidential Palace.
Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, leader of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguarding and Restoration, MSPR Junta announced the takeover while also announcing the closure of both air and land borders and the National Assembly dissolved.
The capital Ouagadougou is relatively calm with negotiations between the junta and former government officials have been calm.
Reports have it that the National Gendarme is in opposition to the coup but there is seemingly not much risk as the opposition is considered low and could be easily handled.
There are expectations that the international community will widely condemn the coup and as well demand the release of President Kabore and other detained officials of the previous government.
Sub-regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States has already sent out a statement condemning the military takeover. It said, “ECOWAS is following with great concern the evolution of the political and security situation in Burkina Faso, characterised since Sunday 23 January by an attempted coup d’état”.
The African Union chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat condemned the action of the military while calling “on the national army and security forces of the country to strictly adhere to their republican vocation, namely the defence of the internal and external security of the country”.
Members of the junta are expected to take over the administration of vital ministries and departments such as the National Security, the leadership of Provinces and communes. Also, the junta is expected to form a transitional government, develop a transitional plan and conduct elections as would be required by regional and international communities.
Meanwhile, the whereabouts of the detained ex-government officials are unknown but a military spokesperson has declared that the coup took place “without any physical violence to those arrested, who are being held in a safe place with respect to their dignity”.
By: Clifford Adumbire | myactiveonline.com
