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Burkina Faso’s presidential guard has the interim president and prime minister, plunging the west African country into uncertainty just weeks before the first elections since the ouster of ex-leader Blaise Compaore.

The detention of the nation’s transitional leaders on Wednesday detained triggered immediate street protests outside the presidential palace where the men were being held. Gunfire pierced the air as soldiers tried to disperse several hundred demonstrators.
It was impossible to immediately verify whether anyone had been wounded.
International condemnation was swift, with the United Nations and the African Union demanding the top officials be released immediately.
Members of Compaore’s powerful Presidential Security Regiment (RSP) “burst into the cabinet room at 2.30 pm and kidnapped the President of Burkina Faso Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Isaac Zida, and two ministers [Augustin Loada and Rene Bagoro],” interim parliament speaker Cheriff Sy said in a statement.
Broadcasts by Radio France Internationale and the private Omega radio station were cut. Omega boss Alpha Barry told France 24 television that RSP troops had interrupted programming and threatened to kill staff if they did not stop transmitting.
Protesters marching on the presidential palace in the capital Ouagadougou to condemn the hostage-taking scattered as bursts of gunfire broke out around 7.30pm. Several hours later, the occasional shot could still be heard, the AFP correspondent at the scene said.
Crowds had gathered with whistles and vuvuzelas near the palace, shouting “Down with the RSP”.
The headquarters of Compaore’s Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) party was ransacked in the evening.
Sy called the detention of the president and prime minister “a serious attack on the republic”.
“I call on all patriots to mobilise to defend the motherland,” he said.

“Duty calls us because the Burkinabe nation is in danger. We call on the solidarity that active forces, political forces, civil society and the international community have with all the people of Burkina Faso to defeat this operation.”
Compaore was toppled in October 2014 and fled into exile in Ivory Coast after a popular uprising triggered by his attempt to extend his 27-year rule.
A transitional government has been charged with running the poverty-stricken nation until presidential and legislative elections are held, the first round of which is to take place on October 11.
While the RSP’s demands were not yet known, it has repeatedly tried to disrupt the ongoing transition.
On Monday the country’s National Reconciliation and Reforms Commission recommended that the 1,300-man security force, considered the landlocked country’s best troops, be disbanded.
 


Palace coup: Burkina Faso in turmoil as interim president is seized by his guards

Protesters demonstrate against the presidential guard in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Soldiers fired warning shots outside Burkina Faso's presidential palace on Wednesday as hundreds of people gathered to protest the detention of government leaders inside by the elite presidential guard, witnesses said. Photo: Reuters

 Burkina Faso's president Michel Kafando.

Burkina Faso Prime Minister Isaac Zida, center, leaves a government building after meeting with political leaders in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in 2014.  Photo: AP

Burkina Faso draws up plans for its future without Compaore

Leader of the Burkina Faso opposition, Zephirin Diabre waits to take part in a meeting. Photo: AFP

Power struggle develops after president exits Burkina Faso

Isaac Zida claims power in Burkina Faso. Photo: AFP

Lieutenant Colonel Yacouba Issac Zida, who has declared himself in control of the country following the president's ouster. Photo: AFP

General Honore Traore said on Friday that he would assume the presidency. Photo: EPA

Blaise Compaore, who resigned as president of Burkina Faso on Friday has sought refuge in Ivory Coast. Photo: Xinhua 

Burkina Faso’s President Blaise Compaore forced to step down after 27 years 

Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaore. Photo: Reuters

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