Burkina coup leader charged with murder

A failed military coup in Burkina Faso last month cost its flagging economy more than $50 million in lost revenue, the finance minister said on Wednesday.

The country’s presidential guards unit, which has now been disbanded, seized Kafando and Isaac Zida, the prime minister, the presidential palace on September 16. Diendere has since reportedly apologized to the west African nation for the power grab.

Diendere gave himself up last week following negotiations with officials in the capital, Ouagadougou.

Leonce Kone, from former leader Blaise Compaore’s Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) party, and Hermann Yameogo from the National Union for Democracy and Development were taken into custody on Monday, police said. “I would like the people of Burkina Faso to find a solution to this crisis through dialogue”.

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.

Gen Diendere continues to be officially charged with 11 offenses including wilful destruction of property and threatening state security, homicide, collusion voluntary assault.

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

The elite Presidential Security Regiment (RSP) is loyal to Compaore, the country’s long-time ruler who was ousted in a popular uprising past year.