Enlarge image
Deposed President Roch Kaboré
Photo:
ZOHRA BENSEMRA / REUTERS
In a televised speech, the Burkina Faso army announced that it had taken power in the West African country.
President Roch Kaboré was overthrown, the constitution was suspended, the government and the National Assembly dissolved and the borders closed.
The announcement, signed by Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba and read by another official on state television, said the takeover had been carried out without violence and those arrested were in a safe place.
One wants to avoid violence and bloodshed, said the spokesman.
It will soon be announced how and when Burkina Faso will return to democracy.
The country's borders remained closed for at least four days, and there was also a curfew between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
African Union condemns the actions of the putschists
The statement was made on behalf of a previously unknown organization, the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration, or MPSR, its French-language acronym. "The MPSR, which includes all branches of the army, has decided to end Kaboré's presidency today," it said. She cited the deteriorating security situation and what she described as Kaboré's inability to unite the nation and respond effectively to the challenges it faces.
In the morning, President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré was arrested by the soldiers.
In addition to Kaboré, the head of parliament and the ministers are also in the hands of the soldiers in a barracks in the capital Ouagadougou, according to several security sources on Monday.
The West African country was already shaken by unrest at the weekend;
shots were fired in several barracks.
The government has so far denied a military coup.
The African Union (AU) previously condemned the military action in Burkina Faso as a "coup attempt against the democratically elected president".
AU Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat called on the Burkinabe security forces on Monday not to exceed their competencies.
Their task is "defending the internal and external security" of Burkina Faso.
The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) also said it was following the situation in Burkina Faso "with great concern".
The events in the country since Sunday bear the traits of a "coup attempt".
There had already been violent protests against the government on Saturday, and there were also violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
President Kaboré then issued a night curfew.
muk/Reuters