Iran Press/ Africa: Gunfire has been heard near the home of Burkina Faso’s president after soldiers staged mutinies at several barracks to demand the sacking of the country’s military top brass and more resources for the battle against Muslims.
Residents also reported they saw a helicopter above the private residence of the President, Roch Marc Kabore, in the capital Ouagadougou on Sunday night, Guardian reported.
It followed gunfire earlier in the day at several army bases, prompting fears of yet another coup in a volatile West African country prone to military takeovers.
Meanwhile, demonstrators protesting over the government’s handling of the threat of the militia set fire to the headquarters of the ruling party.
Burkina Faso president held by soldiers after army mutiny
Mutinous soldiers in Burkina Faso detained the nation’s president and asked him to sign a resignation letter, people familiar with the matter said a day after an army mutiny.
President Roch Marc Christian Kabore is being held at a military camp, the people said, asking not to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak to the media. Calls to government spokesman Alkassoum Maiga weren’t answered when Bloomberg sought comment.
Kabore has been in power since 2015, a year after long-serving leader Blaise Compaore was ousted in a popular uprising.
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