Military in Burkina Faso Confirms Coup, Dissolves Government
While gunfire rang out in the streets, Burkina Faso’s military took to the airwaves Thursday to declare it now controls the West African country, confirming that a coup has taken place just weeks before elections.
The announcement broadcast on national television and radio was read by a soldier wearing a camouflage uniform and cap and sitting in front of a blue background. The statement said the transitional government was dissolved and the interim president no longer in power.
The coup leaders, who come from an elite presidential guard unit that had disagreed publicly with the transitional government in recent months, identified themselves as the National Council for Democracy.
Their public statement confirmed what many suspected Wednesday when the transitional president and prime minister were arrested and barricades were erected around the presidency.
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