Burkina Faso Coup Leaders Release Interim President Kafando

President Muhammadu Buhari has declaimed against the detention of the interim president, the prime minister and other ministers of the transitional government of Burkina Faso in an apparent coup d’etat.

The military spokesman said the leaders of the coup were seeking negotiations “to form a government which will dedicate itself to restore political order in the country” before elections were held. On Wednesday, the guard unit burst into a cabinet meeting and arrested the interim president, prime minister and other leaders.

Protesters, some of whom have been arrested, occupied the streets of Ouagadougou since Wednesday, erecting blockades and burning tires.

He also described the kidnapping of the country’s interim leaders as a “terrorist” act which should be “addressed a such by the entire worldwide community”.

Diendere, a political veteran elected by coup leaders to helm their “National Council for Democracy”, dismissed allegations that the coup was orchestrated by Compaore, whose whereabouts are unknown.

A statement by the junta Friday said that Michel Kafando was freed from military custody on Thursday, and is now in his official residence.

Immediately after taking control of the country the military announced the establishment of a “National Democratic Council” which they said would end “the deviant regime of transition” and establish another government which would organise “inclusive” elections.

“The president firmly condemns the coup d’Etat that has taken place in Burkina Faso“, the French presidency said in a statement.

Mr Compaore was ousted in a popular uprising last year after 27 years in power, and is now in exile.

At least three people were killed and more than 60 injured, according to hospital sources, when members of the presidential guard fired warning shots to disperse crowds and used batons to beat back stone-throwing demonstrators.

The 1,300-strong presidential guard has been known for its loyalty to Compaore whose supporters have been banned from contesting the elections set for October 11.

The 1,300-member presidential guard is believed to have been unsatisfied with plans to dissolve it and integrate it into the military police.

The European Union, the United States and former colonial power France have also denounced the junta.