Burkina Faso Coup Leader, General Diendere Charged

The leader of last month’s ephemeral coup in Burkina Faso has actually been arrested for criminal offenses along with damaging form peace of mind and torture.

During the failed coup, Diendere’s forces in the elite presidential guard detained the interim president, prime minister and several Cabinet members.

Last week, Gen Diendere was reported to have surrendered to the authorities in the capital Ouagadougou.

General Diendere held power for almost a week but was forced to step down under pressure from the army, demonstrators and the West African bloc ECOWAS. “All parties must talk to find an inclusive solution for the future of our country.” he added.

Gen. Gilbert Diendere now will stand trial before a military tribunal after making an appearance earlier Tuesday, according to the prosecutor who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to journalists.

He has been charged with 11 crimes in total, including threatening state security, murder, allying with foreign forces, willful assault and destruction of property.

Interim President Michel Kafando was reportedly reinstated two weeks ago after the Burkina Faso army intervened.

Bassole, by contrast, denied any involvement in the coup, his Paris-based lawyer Alexandre Varaut said last week.

Burkina Faso has lurched from crisis to crisis in the year since Compaore was ousted in a popular uprising, and the latest putsch focused on allowing his supporters to stand for office.