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Burkina Faso army moves to disarm coup leaders

September 21, 2015

Burkina Faso's military has converged on the capital to disarm the elite presidential guard responsible for a government coup last week. Earlier, coup leader Gilbert Diendere hinted he was ready to hand over power.

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Burkina Faso Proteste und Gewalt
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S. Kambou

The National Armed Forces warned Monday that the country's troops were converging on the capital, Ouagadougou, to disarm the 1,200-member presidential guard unit.

"We ask them to immediately lay down their arms and go to Camp Sangoule Lamizana," Burkina Faso's military commanders said in a statement, referring to military barracks in the capital. "They and their families will be protected."

A statement signed by several military chiefs said the army hoped to secure the surrender of the Presidential Security Regiment (RSP) "without bloodshed."

Soldiers loyal to ousted leader Blaise Compaore detained Burkina Faso's interim president and prime minister on September 16. Along with interim President Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac Zida, the RSP also took senior ministers of the interim government hostage.

Coup leader General Gilbert Diendere reacted in a statement Monday, warning against the risk of "chaos, civil war and massive human rights violations." Diendere, who led the RSP under Compaore until the longtime leader was forced from power last year, has been under immense pressure from regional and international powers, as well as the country's military commanders, to step down.

Burkina Faso Ouagadougou General Gilbert Diendere
Diendere confirmed a "commitment to giving power back to civilian authorities"Image: picture alliance/Photoshot

After weekend negotiations, he said he would free Zida as a sign of goodwill to mediators from the Economic Community of West African States, and pledged to hand over power to the transitional government once a definitive agreement had been reached.

Earlier Monday, Diendere said the RSP had confirmed a "commitment to giving power back to civilian authorities."

Elections due

Burkina Faso is due to elect a new president on October 11. Compaore's supporters have been banned from participating in the polls.

Zida, the second-in-command of the presidential guard, assumed power when Compaore fled to Ivory Coast last October 31 following huge demonstrations against his 27-year-rule.

The country's leaders agreed on a transitional period after the African Union threatened Burkina Faso with sanctions.

On Monday, French President Francois Hollande also warned the coup leaders to disarm or be prepared to face the consequences. He said that France, Burkina Faso's former colonial ruler, could also "apply sanctions to those opposing the holding of regular elections."

shs/cmk (AP, AFP, Reuters)