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What is behind the coup in Burkina Faso? What is behind the coup in Burkina Faso?
(3 days later)
The BBC's Lamine Konkobo looks at the issues behind the coup in Burkina Faso, where members of the presidential guard have overthrown the interim government.The BBC's Lamine Konkobo looks at the issues behind the coup in Burkina Faso, where members of the presidential guard have overthrown the interim government.
A new president was due to be elected next month to replace long-serving ruler Blaise Compaore, who was ousted in a popular uprising last year.A new president was due to be elected next month to replace long-serving ruler Blaise Compaore, who was ousted in a popular uprising last year.
Why has there been a coup?Why has there been a coup?
Members of the presidential guard (RSP), set up by President Compaore, say they were unhappy with the new electoral law banning candidates linked to last year's bid to extend the president's time in office. It was that attempt which triggered his overthrow in October 2014.Members of the presidential guard (RSP), set up by President Compaore, say they were unhappy with the new electoral law banning candidates linked to last year's bid to extend the president's time in office. It was that attempt which triggered his overthrow in October 2014.
But what is really bothering the RSP is its future. Soldiers were worried that the election of a new president would spell the end of the unit.But what is really bothering the RSP is its future. Soldiers were worried that the election of a new president would spell the end of the unit.
What is the presidential guard?What is the presidential guard?
The presidential guard is an elite unit of around 1,300 soldiers loyal to Mr Compaore.The presidential guard is an elite unit of around 1,300 soldiers loyal to Mr Compaore.
He set it up to ensure his own protection in the wake of the 1987 killing of his predecessor, and close ally, Thomas Sankara during a coup which led to Mr Compaore taking over.He set it up to ensure his own protection in the wake of the 1987 killing of his predecessor, and close ally, Thomas Sankara during a coup which led to Mr Compaore taking over.
It is a well-trained and well-equipped group of soldiers who have often acted independently from the country's army, and this coup is not necessarily supported by the wider military. It is a well-trained and well-equipped group of soldiers who have often acted independently from the country's army, which is larger but less well armed.
The leaders of the army have remained silent so far. Army chiefs have distanced themselves from the presidential guard by asking the coup supporters to hand in their weapons to barracks in exchange for safety guarantees.
Are people sympathetic to the cause of the presidential guard?Are people sympathetic to the cause of the presidential guard?
Most of the people who backed the overthrow of Mr Compaore were keen to see the presidential guard disbanded, but members of the CDP, the former ruling party, are more likely to be happy with what has happened.Most of the people who backed the overthrow of Mr Compaore were keen to see the presidential guard disbanded, but members of the CDP, the former ruling party, are more likely to be happy with what has happened.
They were concerned that they had been excluded from October's election because of their ties to the former president.They were concerned that they had been excluded from October's election because of their ties to the former president.
They argued that the election should have been an inclusive process and the electorate allowed to decide who was fit to be the next president.They argued that the election should have been an inclusive process and the electorate allowed to decide who was fit to be the next president.
One of the people banned from contesting the election was the coup leader's wife, Fatoumata Diallo Diendere who was an MP for CDP.
Does the former president still have influence in Burkina Faso?Does the former president still have influence in Burkina Faso?
There are some who think that Mr Compaore, currently in exile in Ivory Coast, has quietly backed the coup and with the presidential guard in power, it could in theory pave the way for his return.There are some who think that Mr Compaore, currently in exile in Ivory Coast, has quietly backed the coup and with the presidential guard in power, it could in theory pave the way for his return.
Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara was supported by Mr Compaore in his effort to take power after a disputed election, and he is thought to have been unhappy about the transitional arrangements.Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara was supported by Mr Compaore in his effort to take power after a disputed election, and he is thought to have been unhappy about the transitional arrangements.
What is ordinary life like for people in Burkina Faso?What is ordinary life like for people in Burkina Faso?
Life is hard for many in Burkina Faso, one of the world's poorest countries.Life is hard for many in Burkina Faso, one of the world's poorest countries.
Many university graduates struggle to find work and often blame corruption for their difficulties.Many university graduates struggle to find work and often blame corruption for their difficulties.
They were hoping that the transition and a democratic election would lead to improvements, so the coup is a set-back for them.They were hoping that the transition and a democratic election would lead to improvements, so the coup is a set-back for them.
Seven things about Burkina Faso:Seven things about Burkina Faso:
The 'heroes' of Burkina Faso's revolutionThe 'heroes' of Burkina Faso's revolution
The rise and fall of Blaise CompaoreThe rise and fall of Blaise Compaore
Guide to Burkina FasoGuide to Burkina Faso
What impact could this have in the region?What impact could this have in the region?
It depends on how chaotic the situation becomes.It depends on how chaotic the situation becomes.
If the army and civil society mount a serious challenge to the junta and the officers refuse to back down then the situation could break down quickly.If the army and civil society mount a serious challenge to the junta and the officers refuse to back down then the situation could break down quickly.
There are also concerns that this might then play into the hands of jihadist groups which are active in Mali and elsewhere in the region, and they could take advantage of the instability and find a new home in the north of Burkina Faso.There are also concerns that this might then play into the hands of jihadist groups which are active in Mali and elsewhere in the region, and they could take advantage of the instability and find a new home in the north of Burkina Faso.