Burkina Faso Army: Soldiers Behind Coup Not Disarming

The transition government equally announced the creation of a commission of inquiry on the coup that left 11 people dead and 271 others injured.

The setback for reconciliation in the West African nation comes just days after the global community applauded the reversal of the coup when Gen. Gilbert Diendere agreed under heavy pressure to cede power back to the civilian president he had overthrown.

Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac Zida said a 30-day investigation will be opened into the coup.

The Regiment of Presidential Security (RSP), an elite unit of around 1,300 soldiers in charge of the president’s security.

Compaore was ousted in a popular uprising last October, as he tried to extend his 27 years in office. Compaore was removed from power in October 2014. Its members mounted the coup, unhappy that Compaore supporters were barred from running in elections.

“Despite the pledges of good faith, the disarmament process that began Saturday was suddenly called into question yesterday by Gen. Diendere, who told his unit in fact that it could not be dissolved by the transitional government and that it was better to resist”, said the statement.

RSP members launched the coup attempt by arresting interim President Michel Kafando and other ministers on September 16.

“We knew the people were not in favour of it. That is why we have given up”, he said. Premier Zida has said the general will face justice over his actions.

– Uncertainty still lingers about the new date of the general polls in Burkina Faso which is recovering from a short-lived coup.

Subsequently Gen Gilbert Diendere’s assets were frozen.

The upcoming election has been delayed for several weeks, but it remains to be seen whether key RSP demands, including the lifting of an electoral ban on Compaore’s allies, will be fulfilled.