Civil War: Army Fires Artillery At Coup Plotters’ Barracks (UPDATED)

Peace seem far from being reached in Burkina Faso, as the Burkinabe army has shut down Ougadougou airport, taking strategic positions and have fired at the barracks of the presidential guard.

Members of the presidential guard at the Laico hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Photo: Reuters

Capt. Guy Herve Ye who talked to the Associated Press, said that artillery has been fired at the barracks of the elite unit.

The new development comes barely a day after the military chief of staff said the elite force has refused to disarm after the coup of Thursday, September 17, which lasted for about a week. Reuters report that about 11 people were killed and 271 injured within the brief duration of the coup.

READ ALSO: UPDATED: ECOWAS Meets As Presidential Guard Signs Peace Treaty

The special unit was reportedly disbanded on Wednesday, September 23, at the first cabinet meeting of the restored government.

Regular troops began disarming the Presidential Security Regiment (RSP) over the weekend as part of requirements in fulfilling the peace pacts earlier agreed.

Army officials taking positions around the capital, Ouagadougou

However, on Monday, September 28, the chief of staff said that RSP officers were refusing to participate in the process.

He went on to accused General Diendere of hindering the disarmament and seeking support from foreign forces and Islamist militants.

On Tuesday, September 29, Djibril Bassole, Blaise Compaore’s former foreign minister, was arrested and Bassole was accused by the government of backing Diendere and the RSP putsch.

The Burkinabe army has said the presidential guard is refusing to disarm, an assault seems imminent.

He was banned by the constitutional court from participating in the presidential election which was to be held in October.

READ ALSO: How Nigeria Restored Democracy In Burkina Faso – Presidency

Prior to his ban, the Compaore’s right-hand-man was considered one of the favorites for the presidential position.

An inquiry by the government to determine who was responsible for the brief coup has led the state prosecutor to freeze the accounts of Diendere and 13 others suspected to have spearheaded the takeover.

There is speculation that Compaore has been seeking medical treatment in Morocco and is due on Tuesday, September 29, to fly to Ivory Coast, where he has spends most of his time since he his self-exile from Ouagadougou last year.

In his defense, Diendere has reportedly said that one of the primary reasons for the coup was the court decision which barred Bassole and other candidates due to their support for Compaore’s plan to change the constitution.

Meanwhile, following the RSP’s refusal to disarm, the chief of staff has called on the population of the capital to avoid the Ouaga 2000 district, where the coup plotters’ camp is located.

He further urged the residents of the neighborhood to remain indoors.

The military chief went on to also request that “in order not to compromise the operation underway”,  journalists should stay clear of deployed troops.

The post Civil War: Army Fires Artillery At Coup Plotters’ Barracks (UPDATED) appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.