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Burkina Faso: Guards detain interim president and PM | Burkina Faso: Guards detain interim president and PM |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Interim leaders in Burkina Faso have been detained by guards supporting ousted President Blaise Compaore. | Interim leaders in Burkina Faso have been detained by guards supporting ousted President Blaise Compaore. |
President Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Isaac Zida were detained at a cabinet meeting at the presidential palace in the capital, Ouagadougou. | |
It comes two days after a commission recommended the disbanding of the presidential guard (RSP). | It comes two days after a commission recommended the disbanding of the presidential guard (RSP). |
Shots have been fired to disperse hundreds of protesters near the palace, where the detainees remain. | |
No injuries have been reported but there is said to be an air of panic in the capital with shops shutting early and many people heading home. | |
Violent mass protests that included setting parliament on fire forced long-serving Mr Compaore out of office in October 2014. | Violent mass protests that included setting parliament on fire forced long-serving Mr Compaore out of office in October 2014. |
Mr Kafando and Lt Col Zida had been tasked with organising fresh presidential elections next month. | Mr Kafando and Lt Col Zida had been tasked with organising fresh presidential elections next month. |
They and other officials were "taken hostage" by the RSP, the head of the transitional parliament, Moumina Cheriff Sy, said in a statement. | |
Analysis: Thomas Fessy, West Africa correspondent, BBC News | |
Their captors are soldiers from the elite presidential guard but their intention remains unknown: are they protesting against a plan to dismantle their controversial unit? | |
Or are they trying to take power less than a month before the first elections are held since former president Compaore fled a popular uprising last year? | |
Several radio stations have been taken off air and people fear that in the confusion the situation may escalate into violence. | |
'Serious attack' | 'Serious attack' |
Mr Sy said military chiefs were trying to negotiate the officials' release. | |
"The RSP's countless disruptions are a serious attack on the republic and its institutions," Mr Sy said. | "The RSP's countless disruptions are a serious attack on the republic and its institutions," Mr Sy said. |
"I call on all patriots to gather to defend the motherland," he added. | "I call on all patriots to gather to defend the motherland," he added. |
Tensions have been building ahead of the poll scheduled for 11 October. | Tensions have been building ahead of the poll scheduled for 11 October. |
Members of Mr Compaore's party have been declared ineligible. | Members of Mr Compaore's party have been declared ineligible. |
Those who supported the ex-president's bid to amend the constitution so he could seek another term are also banned from running. | Those who supported the ex-president's bid to amend the constitution so he could seek another term are also banned from running. |
There has been prolonged friction between the 1,300-strong RSP and Lt Col Zida, a former second-in-command of the group. | There has been prolonged friction between the 1,300-strong RSP and Lt Col Zida, a former second-in-command of the group. |
Then on Monday, a truth and reconciliation commission released a report calling for the disbanding of the unit amid accusations that it opened fire on unarmed protesters during last year's protests. | Then on Monday, a truth and reconciliation commission released a report calling for the disbanding of the unit amid accusations that it opened fire on unarmed protesters during last year's protests. |