At least 10 killed, 113 injured in Burkina Faso clashes – medics

As the two African mediators arrived on Friday, members of the elite Presidential Security Regiment (RSP) which spearheaded the coup fired in the air to disperse protestors trying to march on Revolution Square, the epicentre of last year’s revolt against Compaore.

Coup leaders released Kafando and two ministers Friday, describing the move as “a sign of easing tensions”, but prime minister Isaac Zida remained under house arrest.

The coup leaders later announced that General Diendere, who had been head of the elite presidential guard under Mr Compaore and was his long-time aide, was now in charge.

Sall and Boni Yayi met with Kafando at his home earlier on Saturday after two hours of talks with opposition leaders and civil society groups. “We are going to relaunch the transition that was underway – a transition led by civilians, with Michel Kafando”, he added, saying that extra particulars of the “excellent news” can be offered on Sunday.

Diendere, Sall and Benin’s President Thomas Yayi Boni “shut themselves in Sall’s suite for decisive discussions on a plan for ending the crisis that could very likely lead to the return of President Kafando”, the Senegalese president’s office said in a statement cited by Reuters.

It was not clear if the alleged deal included amnesty for Diendere, a shadowy…

“Today it seems to me that the October 11 date is too soon to hold the election”, General Diendere said.

“We simply want a set of proposals that allow us to get to the elections in all peace and serenity while assuring that the results are uncontested and incontestable”, Diedere told TV 5 MONDE earlier in the day. He has not spoken publicly since the coup was announced on Thursday.

Less than a month before the election, the coup disrupted what began as a year-long transition after the fall of President Blaise Compaore, a longtime president during an upheaval in October 2014.

At least 10 people have been killed and 113 wounded in clashes sparked by Wednesday’s detention of the country’s interim leaders, a source at Ouagadougou’s main hospital told AFP. Most of the casualties were treated for gunshot wounds.

Gen. Pingrenoma Zagre, the army chief, issued a statement Saturday condemning all violence against civilians and urging soldiers to act “with professionalism”.

The 54-member African Union (AU) has suspended Burkina Faso and imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on the junta.

Under Compaore, Burkina emerged as a regional ally of France and the United States against al Qaeda-linked militants thought to be active in the north as well as neighbouring Mali.