Burkina Faso’s attorney general says country will freeze assets of coup

On September 16, militaries members of the RSP seized power in Burkina Faso after they rushed in the council of ministers and took hostages the president of transition Michel Kafango, the Prime minister Yacouba Isaac Zida and government members.

The state prosecutor said in a statement he froze the financial and property assets of coup leader General Gilbert Diendere and 13 others suspected of links to the putsch.

On Friday, the first full meeting of the government since Mr Kafando’s reinstatement chose to disband the presidential guard (RSP) and to dismiss the minister in charge of security.

Kafando fired the security minister and established a commission to identify the coup leaders.

Despite the amicable surrender, reports indicate about 10 people died in the failed coup and about 100 were injured in the clashes.

Burkina Faso is scheduled to hold general elections on October 11 although Zida indicated Wednesday it would have to be put back several weeks.

The RSP – a unit of 1,200 well-armed and well-trained men – is loyal to Blaise Compaore, the country’s long-time ruler who was ousted in a popular uprising past year.

The military justified its actions claiming that the interim government failed to establish a “democracy based on consensus”.

Diendere then took power, but stepped down after pressure from the West African regional bloc, Burkina Faso’s military and demonstrating citizens.

“During this ordeal we have fought together and in freedom we triumph together”, Kafando said in a declaration to the nation as presidents of neighboring countries arrived in Burkina Faso. “Justice will be served after the conclusion of these investigations, ” Zida said. “I think the soldiers implicated in this coup and even the politicians have realised that (a coup) is something which can no longer come off in this country”.

Sankara who leads the Union for Renaissance/Socialist Party, said his supporters will remain “vigilant” and “mobilized” behind the legitimate transition authorities.