Burkina Faso Army announces ousting President, suspending constitution
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Burkina Faso's Army has announced ousting President Roch Kabore due to his "inability" to run the country.
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The takeover was carried out due to the deteriorating security situation, the Army said.
Burkina Faso's Army announced Monday ousting President Roch Kabore, suspending the constitution, dissolving the government and parliament, and closing the country's borders.
Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the announcement noted that the seizure of power took place without violence and that those arrested were in a safe place.
The takeover was carried out due to the deteriorating security situation in the country and Kabore's inability to unite West Africa and face its challenges, the announcement read.
Re-establish constitutional order within a reasonable time
Read by an army officer on local television, the announcement was signed by the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR).
"MPSR, which includes all sections of the army, has decided to end President Kabore's post today," the officer said.
The new Patriotic Movement for Preservation and Restoration (MPSR) would re-establish "constitutional order" within a "reasonable time", adding that a nationwide nightly curfew would be enforced.
"Aborted assassination attempt"
A government source had said that Kabore was "exfiltrated" from his home late Sunday by his presidential guards "before the arrival of armed elements who fired on the vehicles of his convoy."
An AFP correspondent early Monday saw three bullet-ridden vehicles outside Kabore's residence, with traces of blood visible on one.
The People's Movement for Progress ruling party said Kabore was the victim of an "aborted assassination attempt".
For its part, the US called for Kabore's release and urged "members of the security forces to respect Burkina Faso's constitution and civilian leadership."
Similarly, UN chief Antonio Guterres said in a statement he "strongly condemns any attempted takeover of government by the force of arms", calling events a "coup".
Kabore, in power since 2015 and re-elected in 2020, has faced rising public anger about failure to stop the bloodshed in the country.
With growing anger over the government's inability to stop the attacks spreading across the country, new demonstrations broke out two days ago in the capital of Burkina Faso calling for Kabore's resignation.
Demonstrations against French occupation
Burkina Faso's protest comes amid an escalation of Al-Qaeda- and ISIS-linked attacks that have killed thousands and displaced 1.5 million people. According to the United Nations, nearly 12,000 people were displaced within two weeks in December.
The demonstrations were preceded by others against the return of the French occupation.
A few days ago, the French Army reported an explosion in northern Burkina Faso, injuring four of its soldiers.
