This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/17/warning-shots-fired-to-diffuse-protest-over-military-coup-fears
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Warning shots fired to disperse protest over military coup fears | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Soldiers fired warning shots to disperse hundreds of protesters outside Burkina Faso’s presidential palace on Wednesday after the presidential guard burst into a cabinet meeting and arrested the interim president, stirring fears of a military coup. | Soldiers fired warning shots to disperse hundreds of protesters outside Burkina Faso’s presidential palace on Wednesday after the presidential guard burst into a cabinet meeting and arrested the interim president, stirring fears of a military coup. |
| The presidential guard gave no explanation for its move, which came less than a month before an election due to complete a transition back to democracy after a popular uprising toppled Burkina’s long-time ruler last year. | The presidential guard gave no explanation for its move, which came less than a month before an election due to complete a transition back to democracy after a popular uprising toppled Burkina’s long-time ruler last year. |
| The guard, known as the regiment of presidential security (RSP), was a key pillar of former president Blaise Compaoré’s rule before he was ousted by demonstrators last October when he attempted to change the constitution to prolong his 27 years in office. | The guard, known as the regiment of presidential security (RSP), was a key pillar of former president Blaise Compaoré’s rule before he was ousted by demonstrators last October when he attempted to change the constitution to prolong his 27 years in office. |
| Compaoré, who seized power in a 1987 military coup in the landlocked west African state, was a key ally of France and the US in the fight against Islamists in the arid Sahel region. | Compaoré, who seized power in a 1987 military coup in the landlocked west African state, was a key ally of France and the US in the fight against Islamists in the arid Sahel region. |
| Moumina Cheriff Sy, the head of the transitional parliament, said the latest show of strength by the presidential guard was a danger to the nation itself. | Moumina Cheriff Sy, the head of the transitional parliament, said the latest show of strength by the presidential guard was a danger to the nation itself. |
| “Members of the RSP burst into the room of the cabinet of ministers at around 14.30 and took hostage the president of Burkina Faso Michel Kafando, the prime minister Yacouba Isaac Zida, the minister of public administration ... and the minister of housing,” he said in a statement. | |
| The apparent power-grab came just two days after a government commission recommended dismantling the well-equipped 1,200-strong force, calling it an “army within an army”. | The apparent power-grab came just two days after a government commission recommended dismantling the well-equipped 1,200-strong force, calling it an “army within an army”. |
| In February, an attempt by the prime minister to reform the guard led to a political crisis as it attempted to force him to resign. | In February, an attempt by the prime minister to reform the guard led to a political crisis as it attempted to force him to resign. |
| In a joint statement, the UN, African Union and the economic community of west African states called for the immediate liberation of the officials and said those responsible would be held to account. They also voiced support for Burkina Faso’s transition back to democracy at the 11 October polls. | |
| A senior adviser to the head of the transitional parliament said that its members would march on the presidential palace to demand the release of the president and ministers. | A senior adviser to the head of the transitional parliament said that its members would march on the presidential palace to demand the release of the president and ministers. |
| “I call on all patriots to mobilise and defend the motherland,” said Sy. | “I call on all patriots to mobilise and defend the motherland,” said Sy. |
| Demonstrators who gathered on a main road leading to the presidential palace chanted “Down with the RSP” and “We want elections”. Witnesses said soldiers outside the palace fired several warning shots, which prompted the crowds to retreat several hundred metres but not disperse. | Demonstrators who gathered on a main road leading to the presidential palace chanted “Down with the RSP” and “We want elections”. Witnesses said soldiers outside the palace fired several warning shots, which prompted the crowds to retreat several hundred metres but not disperse. |
| A Reuters witness said members of the presidential guard beat back demonstrators with batons. Gunfire was also reported in a nearby neighbourhood. | A Reuters witness said members of the presidential guard beat back demonstrators with batons. Gunfire was also reported in a nearby neighbourhood. |
| “I am against this repression of our members of government just a month before the election,” said protester Idrissa Pasoba, shouting above the crowd. | “I am against this repression of our members of government just a month before the election,” said protester Idrissa Pasoba, shouting above the crowd. |
| Leaders of Le Balai Citoyen, a citizens movement that was instrumental in organising the protests against Compaoré in October, called its supporters on to the streets in protest. | |
| Private station Radio Omega said on social media that presidential guard soldiers had fired warning shots outside the studio and forced journalists to shut down transmission. Several other Burkinabé radio stations also appeared to have stopped transmitting. | Private station Radio Omega said on social media that presidential guard soldiers had fired warning shots outside the studio and forced journalists to shut down transmission. Several other Burkinabé radio stations also appeared to have stopped transmitting. |
| “They were ordered to cut off the antenna otherwise they would be killed,” said Alpha Barry, president director general of Radio Omega. | “They were ordered to cut off the antenna otherwise they would be killed,” said Alpha Barry, president director general of Radio Omega. |
| A French security source said that about 20 soldiers from an intelligence gathering unit were being deployed to Ouagadougou to monitor the situation. France issued a travel warning to its citizens in the country to stay at home. | A French security source said that about 20 soldiers from an intelligence gathering unit were being deployed to Ouagadougou to monitor the situation. France issued a travel warning to its citizens in the country to stay at home. |
| The RSP’s repeated political meddling since Compaore’s ousting has provoked street protests and prompted authorities to call for a review of the guard’s role. | The RSP’s repeated political meddling since Compaore’s ousting has provoked street protests and prompted authorities to call for a review of the guard’s role. |
| Monday’s report recommended that the regiment be broken up and its members redeployed within the framework of a broader reform of the military. | Monday’s report recommended that the regiment be broken up and its members redeployed within the framework of a broader reform of the military. |