WUNRN
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS OF BURKINA FASO?
BURKINA FASO – MILITARY COUP CONFIRMED – GOVERNMENT DISSOLVED
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Coup leaders have confirmed that “land and air borders were now
closed, and that a curfew would be in effect from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.”
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Women of Burkina Faso on the way to market. http://www.pbase.com/neuenhofer/image/149396169
· By BRAHIMA OUEDRAOGO, ASSOCIATED PRESS
September 17, 2015 - While gunfire rang out in the streets,
Burkina Faso's military took to the airwaves Thursday to declare it now
controls the West African country, confirming that a coup has taken place just
weeks before elections.
The announcement broadcast on national television and radio was
read by an army lieutenant colonel wearing a camouflage uniform and cap who sat
in front of a blue background. The statement said the country's transitional
government had been dissolved and the interim president was no longer in power.
The coup leaders, who come from an elite presidential guard unit
that had disagreed publicly with the transitional government in recent months,
identified themselves as the National Council for Democracy.
Their public statement confirmed what many suspected Wednesday
when the transitional president and prime minister were arrested and barricades
were erected around the presidency.
Hours
later, the coup leaders announced that a military general and former aide to
the former longtime president now leads Burkina Faso. Gen. Gilbert Diendere had been head of the elite
presidential guard until President Blaise Compaore was ousted in a popular
uprising that was sparked by his bid to prolong his rule.
The communique also said that the land and air borders were now
closed, and that a curfew would be in effect from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The international community swiftly condemned the coup, which
violated the country's constitution. The United States said it is "deeply
concerned" about the events unfolding.
"The
United States strongly condemns any attempt to seize power through
extra-constitutional means or resolve internal political disagreements using
force," said a statement issued byState Department spokesman John Kirby.
The early morning communique read by Lt. Col. Mamadou Bamba
criticized the electoral code, which blocked members of the ex-president's
party from taking part in the Oct. 11 elections. Anyone who supported the
ex-president's bid to amend the constitution so he could seek another term is
also banned from running.
Bamba on Thursday announced the beginning of a "coherent,
fair and equitable process" that would lead to inclusive elections.
The transitional government came to power after Compaore, the
president of 27 years, was ousted late last year in a public uprising.
Demonstrators at one point had set fire to the parliament building to protest
his move to amend the constitution so he could prolong his rule.
Burkina Faso hosts French special forces and serves as an important ally of both France and the United States in the fight against Islamic militants in West Africa. While Burkina Faso has largely been spared from extremist violence, a Romanian national was abducted in April, and a Mali-based jihadi group claimed responsibility.