Rival forces in Burkina stand-off ahead of mediation mission

News Manager

Milforums News Bot
By Nadoun Coulibaly and Mathieu Bonkoungou OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - The elite guards behind a coup in Burkina Faso defied an ultimatum on Tuesday to surrender to regular troops loyal to the government, leading to a stand-off in the capital as they awaited a mediation mission by regional leaders. Loyalist forces marched into Ouagadougou overnight saying they would disarm the 1,200-strong presidential guard, whose putsch just weeks before an Oct. 11 poll threatens to derail a transition back to democracy after last year's overthrow of longtime leader Blaise Compaore. "I am still the president of the National Democratic Council (junta)." Coup leaders and loyalist officers negotiated throughout the morning, and army chief General Pingrenoma Zagre said he would give time to the mediation efforts.




More...
 
Back
Top