Burkina Faso: Mediators deplore lack of dialogue after coup

Senegal’s president Macky Sall, the current chairman of West Africa’s regional bloc ECOWAS who is leading the mediation efforts, later left the hotel.

Compaore was ousted in an uprising last October.

Late Friday night, after a full day of meetings in Ouagadougou, Sall called for “a dynamic of reconciliation”.

The official highlighted a series of steps the military is undertaking that include removing the transitional president from office, dissolving the government and forming a broad coalition that will focus on policies that will lead to inclusive elections.

General Gilebert Diendere, Mr Compaore’s former spy chief and right-hand man, said he carried out the coup over plans to disband the presidential guard and because several of the former president’s allies were barred from taking part in the polls.

At least 10 people were killed and more than 100 injured in street clashes with soldiers since the coup.

“There is a critical lack of dialogue among actors, and this will negatively affect national unity and cohesion”, Sall warned Friday.

Demonstrators protest against the recent coup in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Saturday, September 19, 2015.

In a message broadcast on a local radio station, Sy equally called for the surrender of the Presidential Security Regiment (RSP) which on Thursday overthrew the transition government led by interim President Michel Kafando.

The African Union swiftly suspended Burkina Faso, and the United States, France and others sharply condemned the military power grab.

Benin President Thomas Boni Yayi, mediating in post-coup talks in Burkina Faso, promised there would be some “good news” emanating from the negotiations on Sunday.

The pro-coup protesters also clashed with the demonstrators opposing the military takeover, as the two crowds waited for news on the talks in front of the hotel.

The incident has plunged the west African country into uncertainty just weeks before the first elections since the ouster of ex-leader Blaise Compaore last year after 27 years in power.

The coup has failed to gain widespread support across Burkina Faso.

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.

“All measures taken by those who took power by force in Burkina Faso are null and void”, Uganda’s AU ambassador Mull Katende said.

A curfew is in place across the country from 7pm (8pm BST) until 6am tomorrow and land and air borders have been closed.

However, other questions remain, including the fate of Prime Minister Isaac Zida, who was also detained.