Burkina Faso President, Roch Kabore, after his removal and detention by the country’s army, has sparked some celebration among anti-government protesters.
The action taken by the military has also raised international concerns after the fourth military coup was orchestrated in West and Central Africa in the past year.
Late on Monday, January 24, 2022, a group of soldiers calling themselves the Patriotic Movement for Safeguarding and Restoration, led by Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba appeared on state television to declare that they were in control of the county.
They said the government and national assembly were dissolved and the constitution suspended, as they also announced an overnight curfew.
Meanwhile, the whereabouts of President Kabore, who won a second term in the 2020 elections, remains unknown. A military spokesman said the army seized power “without any physical violence against those arrested, who are being held in a safe place, with respect for their dignity.”
Swift International reaction to Military Takeover
United Nations Chief, Antonio Guterres noted in a statement that he “strongly condemns any attempted takeover of government by the force of arms”, calling the events a coup.
“Coup leaders must lay down their arms & ensure the safety of the President and the protection of the country’s institutions,” he said in a Twitter post.
Even before the army’s statement, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc and the African Union (AU) both condemned what they termed an “attempted coup”, saying the soldiers were responsible for Kabore’s safety.
“ECOWAS is following with great concern the evolution of the political and security situation in Burkina Faso, characterised since Sunday 23 January by an attempted coup d’état,” the organisation said in a statement.
Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, “firmly condemned the coup d’état attempt against the democratically elected president.”
Mahamat, in a statement, called “on the national army and security forces of the country to strictly adhere to their republican vocation, namely the defence of the internal and external security of the country”, a statement said.
The United States said it was “deeply concerned” about developments in Burkina Faso and urged a swift return to civilian rule.
“We condemn these acts and call on those responsible to deescalate the situation, prevent harm to President Kabore and any other members of his government in detention, and return to civilian-led government and constitutional order,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.
“The United States is closely monitoring this fluid situation, and we call for restraint by all actors as we carefully review the events on the ground for any potential impact on our assistance.”
Ned Price – State Department Spokesman
Meanwhile, the European Union’s High Representative Josep Borrell said the bloc was “very worried about the evolution of the situation in Burkina Faso.”
“We call for the respect of the constitutional order and the release of President Kabore,” Borrell said.
French President, Emmanuel Macron also condemned the coup and said he planned to hold talks on the matter with regional leaders, Radio France International (RFI) reported.
Burkina Faso was once under French colonial rule until the country [Burkina Faso] gained independence in 1960.
For its part, Luxembourg’s Foreign Ministry said it was following developments in Burkina Faso “with great concern” and condemned the removal of the president and the suspension of the constitution.
“The challenges of the [Burkina Faso] must be solved through dialogue and not through arms,” Luxembourg’s Foreign Ministry said.
Swedish Foreign Minister, Ann Linde joined ECOWAS in “condemning the attempted coup d’état in Burkina Faso” and urged all parties to find a peaceful resolution through dialogue.
Alert from Embassies to their Citizens
Embassies in Burkina Faso have issued alerts and urged citizens to be cautious. The US Embassy in Ouagadougou announced it would remain closed to the public on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, due to the ongoing security situation.
It added that a mandatory curfew had been instituted from 9 pm to 5 am as of January 24. “The Embassy has not received any indication that the curfew has been lifted,” it said.
Land and air border travel have also been suspended, the embassy said, starting at 11:59 pm on January 24, 2022.
READ MORE: Ukraine: Western Leaders Declare Unity Over Russia’s Threat
