Uniformed soldiers announced on national television on Monday that they had seized power in Burkina Faso, pledging to “return to constitutional order” within “a reasonable time”.
Reading a statement signed by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, president of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguarding and Restoration (MPSR) which now holds power, a captain also announced the closure of borders from midnight local time, the dissolution of the government and the National Assembly, as well as the suspension of the Constitution.
Shortly after, the UN chief said in a statement that he “strongly condemns” the “coup”. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for “laying down arms” and protecting “the physical integrity” of President Roch Marc Kaboré.
In this text read by his spokesperson, the head of the UN indicates that he “is concerned in particular about the fate and safety of President Roch Marc Kaboré (…) following the coup d’etat perpetrated on 23 January by sections of the armed forces”.
Further details will follow.
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