Power Struggle Follows Resignation of Burkina Faso President
Thousands of people gathered in the center of country's capital Sunday to denounce what they described as a military coup, two days after massive protests compelled President Blaise Compaore to resign.
Lt. Col. Issac Yacouba Zida pauses as he makes an announcement Saturday to the media in the Burkina Faso city of Ouagadougou. AP/Theo Renaut
Thousands of people gathered in the center of Burkina Faso’s capital Sunday to denounce what they described as a military coup, two days after massive protests compelled President Blaise Compaore to resign.
The Guardian reports:
Compaoré’s 27 years in charge of the landlocked west African country ended on Friday when his bid to change the constitution to extend his rule was thwarted.
A power struggle ensued, and on Saturday Presidential Guard commander Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida was appointed as transitional leader, superseding an earlier claim by the army chief of staff.
In Ouagadougou’s Place de La Nation on Sunday, opposition leaders denounced the power grab to the assembled crowds, while a UN official warned of possible sanctions if Zida obstructed a return to civilian rule.
Read more here.
— Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.
As we navigate an uncertain 2025, with a new administration questioning press freedoms, the risks are clear: our ability to report freely is under threat.
Your tax-deductible donation enables us to dig deeper, delivering fearless investigative reporting and analysis that exposes the reality beneath the headlines — without compromise.
Now is the time to take action. Stand with our courageous journalists. Donate today to protect a free press, uphold democracy and uncover the stories that need to be told.
Africa
September's coup is Burkina Faso's second of the year, and its another one with popular support.
The pontiff calls for easing of tensions in conflict zones from Syria to Venezuela and spotlights the plight of migrants fleeing injustice.
During a visit to Ivory Coast, Emmanuel Macron vows that France will continue fighting terrorism in the Sahel region.
Hundreds of people and many clergy are killed at churches, mosques, synagogues and temples across the globe.
It was surprising to hear Sen. Lindsey Graham—who is on the Armed Services Committee—say he didn’t know there were American troops in Niger. There are thousands across the continent.
Just a week after the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 killed 298 people in eastern Ukraine, another passenger jet has apparently crashed.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.