Burkina Faso soldiers stand by a damaged vehicle in front of the Guillaume Ouedraogo military camp in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, January 24, 2022. /CFP
Burkina Faso soldiers stand by a damaged vehicle in front of the Guillaume Ouedraogo military camp in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, January 24, 2022. /CFP
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called on all actors in Burkina Faso to exercise restraint and opt for dialogue after the country's army deposed its president in West Africa's latest coup.
The UN chief "strongly condemns any attempt to take over a government by the force of arms" and "calls on the coup leaders to lay down their arms," according to a statement attributed to his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
Guterres also urged the coup leaders to "ensure the protection of the physical integrity of the president and of the institutions of Burkina Faso," the statement said.
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Military group confirms Burkina Faso coup, suspends Constitution
Moussa Faki Mahamat, the chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, said in a press statement on Monday that he is following with deep concern the serious situation in Burkina Faso and strongly condemns the coup attempt in the West African country.
Burkina Faso's army said on Monday it had ousted President Roch Kabore, suspended the constitution, dissolved the government and the national assembly, and closed the country's borders.
"He (Faki Mahamat) calls on the national army and the country's security forces to strictly adhere to their republican vocation, namely the defense of the country's internal and external security," the AU statement said.
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency