Junta Thwarts Coup Attempt in Burkina Faso, Arrests Made
DAKAR, Sept 27 (Reuters) – Burkina Faso’s military junta announced on Wednesday that it had successfully thwarted a coup attempt the previous day. The junta, however, did not provide any specific details about the incident.
In a statement, the junta declared that officers and others had conspired to destabilize the country with the intention of attacking its institutions and plunging it into chaos. While no individuals were identified, the junta confirmed that several arrests had been made, and efforts were underway to locate others involved in the plot. The statement emphasized that investigations would uncover the instigators behind this scheme.
The military prosecutor later revealed that four people had been detained, while two others remained at large. The prosecutor’s office issued a statement, announcing the launch of an investigation into credible allegations of a plot against state security involving officers.
This development comes after the junta suspended the French news magazine Jeune Afrique on Monday for publishing “untruthful” articles that reported tension and discontent within the Burkinabe armed forces. As a response, thousands of pro-junta demonstrators flooded the streets of the capital, Ouagadougou, and other cities to show their support, citing rumors of a brewing mutiny against the authorities.
The military junta came to power following two military coups last year, partly triggered by a worsening insurgency led by armed groups affiliated with al Qaeda and Islamic State. This insurgency has caused significant destabilization not only in Burkina Faso but also in its neighboring countries in the Sahel region of West Africa.
In early September, over 50 Burkinabe soldiers and volunteer fighters lost their lives in clashes with militants, marking the deadliest incident in months.
Reporting by Reuters Newsroom; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Chris Reese and Grant McCool