The specter of a new coup hangs over Burkina Faso

by time news

Mood or coup attempt by part of the troops? It is at the very least a potentially explosive coup de force with vague outlines which has been taking place in the Burkinabè capital since Friday, September 30. Around 4:30 a.m., shots rang out near the presidential palace and at the Baba Sy military camp, the headquarters of the junta that took power in January. Soldiers occupy strategic points in the city, notably blocking access to the city center. And Radiodiffusion Télévision du Burkina stops broadcasting temporarily. All the clues of an ongoing coup, which Burkinabés are now familiar with.

A mood swing

As a member of the entourage of Paul-Henri Damiba, President of Burkina Faso, suggests: “He was aware of the inclinations of a putsch around him, but he has undoubtedly let his guard down a little lately. »

In a press release issued by the Presidency of Faso at midday, Paul-Henri Damiba described the situation as “movement of mood of certain elements of the national armed forces”. “Discussions are underway to restore calm and serenity. The enemy attacking our country only wants division between Burkinabés to accomplish its destabilization action. »

Also at the end of the morning, while relative calm reigned in the majority of the districts of the capital, a senior officer confirmed to The cross : “The conclave continues. We are in a gray area between mutiny and coup. » Lionel Bilgo, government spokesman, declared to theFrance Media Agency : “It is an internal crisis in the army, discussions are continuing for a smooth outcome. »

The aftermath of the Gaskindé ambush

Several observers claim that the men deployed in the streets of Ouagadougou are members of the special forces of the Cobra unit. The latter would claim the payment of unpaid premiums. But given the magnitude of the events, it could be a decoy. According to territorial strategy expert Kalifara Séré, « l’unité Cobra lost more than 30 of its elements in the Gaskindé ambush”. On Monday, September 26, a supply convoy escorted by the army was attacked near Gaskindé, near Djibo, in the Sahel region. According to a still provisional report, 11 soldiers were killed.

Two days later, Silas Keïta, Minister Delegate in charge of Defence, declared that the attackers had benefited from “unfortunate complicity”.

Divisions within power

But the tensions at the heart of power had never taken on such magnitude. Because in eight months, Paul-Henri Damiba, did not manage to unify the army following him. “Factions of the MPSR (movement created by Paul-Henri Damiba following his coup, editor’s note) call for regime change., points another senior officer. Four currents would thus be opposed within the army around four lieutenant-colonels: the President of Faso Paul-Henri Damiba, the Chief of Staff of the National Gendarmerie Evrard Somda, the commander of the National Brigade of Sappers – firefighters Naon Daba and the national theater operations commander Yves Didier Bamouni. Kalifara Séré adds: “Attempts to bring together a ‘young officer bloc’ have all beenchoue. Damiba has been trying in recent days to reconcile those who are on the same line as Goïta (at the head of the military junta in Mali, editor’s note) And the others. »

In the early afternoon, several hundred people had gathered in the streets of Ouagadougou. Adding confusion to an extremely volatile situation, some protesters displayed Russian and Burkinabé flags.

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