The Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres, has strongly condemned “any attempt to seize power by the force of arms” and called on all actors to “refrain from violence and seek dialogue”.
In a statement published by his spokesperson, the UN chief also expressed his full support for regional efforts toward a swift return to constitutional order in the country.
“Burkina Faso needs peace, stability and unity to fight terrorist groups and criminal networks operating in parts of the country”.
António Guterres
Mr. Guterres reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to accompany the people of Burkina Faso in their efforts towards durable peace and stability.
Allegedly, Capt. Ibrahim Traore appeared on Friday, September 30, 2022 on national television announcing that Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who overthrew the country’s democratically elected president in January, had been removed from power “after failing to end the terrorist violence” that has forced 2 million people to flee their homes.
Meanwhile, Burkina Faso’s self-declared military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, said the situation is under control, urging people to refrain from acts of vandalism targeting the French embassy.
The comments came on Sunday, October 2, 2022 after security forces fired tear gas at dozens of rock-throwing protesters outside France’s embassy in Burkina Faso’s capital, as unrest simmers in the West African country following its second coup this year.
Supporters of the coup leader gathered outside the building in Ouagadougou a day after he accused the deposed military chief Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba of hiding out at a French base to plot a “counteroffensive”.
“We want to inform the population that the situation is under control and order is being restored,” an army officer said in a statement broadcast on national television. The officer was flanked by Traore and other armed and masked soldiers.
With French troops watching from the embassy’s roof, protesters set fire to barriers outside and lobbed rocks at the structure when the tear gas volleys were fired.
Ongoing crisis
The latest spasm of violence to convulse Burkina Faso began on Friday when junior military officers toppled Damiba, accusing him of failing to quell attacks from armed groups linked to ISIL (ISIS) and al-Qaeda. Damiba had come to power in a January coup.
A statement on Saturday, October 1, 2022 signed by Traore said Damiba “is believed to have taken refuge in the French base at Kamboinsin in order to plan a counteroffensive to stir up trouble in our defence and security forces”.
According to media reports, gunfire was heard on Saturday in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou and many streets remain blocked among “unusual” military activity.
Burkina Faso continues to face a humanitarian crisis, with nearly one-fifth of the population in need of aid.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, as of June of this year, more than 1.5 million people have been displaced in Burkina Faso as a consequence of the increasing insecurity in the country. Nearly two-quarters of the displaced people are children.
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