Ouagadougou-SANA
Thousands demonstrated in Burkina Faso against the French intervention in their country, demanding an end to the French military presence in the Sahel region, and the establishment of military cooperation with Russia to confront terrorism.
Agence France-Presse reported that protesters angry at French policies attacked two French institutions, setting a fire in front of the French embassy in Ouagadougou, and another in front of the French Institute in the western city of Bobo Dioulasso.
The new military council, led by Ibrahim Traore, confirmed that France is assisting the ousted council president, Paul-Henri Sandaugo Damiba, noting that Damiba resorted to the French base in Campuensen in order to plan a counter-attack aimed at spreading chaos in the ranks of the military and security forces.
In a statement read by Traore, the Council announced its intention to go to other partners ready to help Burkina Faso in the fight against terrorism.
In turn, the French Foreign Ministry denied hosting Damiba at the base or the embassy.
France maintains a military presence in Burkina Faso through the SABER force, a special forces unit based in Campouinsine, about 30 kilometers from the capital, Ouagadougou.
It is noteworthy that Burkina Faso has suffered since 2015 from repeated attacks by armed groups affiliated with the terrorist organization (Al-Qaeda) and (ISIS), which have caused the deaths of thousands of people and the displacement of about two million people.
The new head of the military council, Ibrahim Traoré, was the commander of the Kaya Artillery Regiment in the north of the country affected by terrorist attacks that increased despite the French military presence under the pretext of combating terrorism.
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