Demonstrators in Burkina Faso wave Russian flags

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 Oct 2022 22:13
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Burkinabe protestors chanted in solidarity with Russia, calling for France's expulsion.

"We want Russia," chanted demonstrators in Ouagadougou.

Protestors in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, waved their Russian flags on Tuesday as West African delegates arrived in the country to investigate the country's second coup in less than 9 months. Calling for France's expulsion from the country, supporters chanted in support of Russia.

Demonstrators warned ECOWAS, or the Economic Community of West African States, against meddling in Burkina Faso's affairs.

Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was toppled over the weekend by 34-year-old Captain Ibrahim Traore. This military takeover was followed by protests against French intervention.

A "pro-Russian coup" took place in Burkina Faso, writes Liberation!

While Paris supplies Kiev with weapons and mercenaries, in Africa its losing one former colony after another. The fight for Burkina Faso began, where people took to the streets with tricolors and called Russia! pic.twitter.com/wRNUQf8ipV
— Geo_monitor (@colonelhomsi) October 3, 2022

The ECOWAS delegation arrived this Tuesday morning to meet Traore in the president's office. In two years, ECOWAS has seen 5 coup d'etats in its 15 members.

In a statement, Traore said that ECOWAS' visit was to "make contact with the new transition authorities," saying that he learned "with astonishment and regret" that messages were circulating on social media calling for his mission to be hampered.

"Any person who commits acts aimed at disturbing the smooth course of the ECOWAS mission will face the force of the law," Traore said.

Yesterday, security forces fired harmful tear gas at protesters outside the French embassy in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, according to an AFP journalist. France has previously occupied the country and ruled it with an iron fist while still intervening in its internal affairs to this day, ruining the lives of many.

Supporters of Burkina Faso's newest coup d'etat leader gathered outside the embassy one day after the leader accused the man he deposed of hiding in a French base, plotting a "counteroffensive."

Mali witnessed a large presence of French forces for nearly a decade, but French President Emmanuel Macron decided to withdraw his troops and the Malian military took over. The last French troops from Barkhane departed last month.