Burkina Faso coup: Military claims control of government to end of 'deviant regime'
Officials have responded with calls for the public to 'immediately rise up'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Burkina Faso's presidential guard claim they have "dissolved" the country's political institutions and set up a "national democratic council" to end the "deviant regime" in the West African state.
Lieutenant-Colonel Mamadou Bamba appeared on national television to declare that the military has seized the country's president and government leaders and controls the country, Al Jazeera reports.
Interim parliament speaker Cheriff Sy told French radio station RFI that what was happening was "clearly a coup" and called on the people to "immediately rise up", according to Yahoo News.
Gunfire has been reported on the streets of the capital Ouagadougou.
The coup comes just weeks before national elections.
The transitional government came to power after Blaise Campaore was overthrown after 27 years as leader towards the end of last year in a public uprising.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for the immediate release of President Michel Kafando, Prime Minister Isaac Zida and two other ministers.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments