Burkina Faso army captain annouces eviction of president

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso | Xinhua | Burkina Faso Army Captain Ibrahim Traore announced Friday evening that the country’s president, Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, was evicted.

Heading a group of military officers, Traore declared in a broadcast statement the suspension of the constitution and of the charter of the transition, the dissolution of the government of transition, and a curfew from 9 pm to 5 am.

He also announced closure of the country’s borders until further notice, and suspension of activities of political parties as well as of civil society organizations.

Traore said he would convene all forces of the country to elaborate a new charter and to appoint a military or civilian president for Burkina Faso.

Gunshots were heard in Ouagadougou Friday morning, and access to the presidential palace, the public television and certain strategic points in the city were blocked by soldiers.

Shortly afterwards, the Burkina Faso presidency issued a statement calling on people to remain calm and saying negotiations were underway to restore “calm and serenity.”