Burkina Coup Leader Pledges Election ‘Soon’ as 3 Dead In Protests

Posted by African Examiner African News, Latest Headlines Friday, September 18th, 2015

By Our Reporter with Agency Reports

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) | A general close to ousted strongman Blaise Compaore took the lead in a Burkina Faso coup and promised elections would be held “soon”, as the death toll from gunshots fired at protesters rose to three.

The latest unrest hit the landlocked west African nation just weeks ahead of presidential and legislative elections slated for October 11 — the country’s first since veteran leader Compaore was forced out last year.

The power grab began on Wednesday when soldiers from the elite presidential guard (RSP) burst into a cabinet meeting and seized interim President Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Isaac Zida.

The move plunged the country into fresh uncertainty but coup leader General Gilbert Diendere — Compaore’s former chief-of-staff — insisted he still wanted elections to take place.

“Our wish is to reorganise ourselves and to move towards elections soon,” General Gilbert Diendere told AFP hours after seizing power, while refusing to give a date for a vote.

“But we plan to discuss all that with the concerned actors, notably the political parties and civil society organisations to establish a timetable that allows us to move towards presidential and parliamentary elections,” he added.

Wednesday’s coup triggered immediate street protests outside the presidential palace where the leaders were being held, with presidential guard officers firing shots to disperse demonstrators.

Doctors at the main Ouagadougou hospital said three people had died from gunshot wounds since Wednesday, while at least 60 others were admitted for various injuries.

AFP