UN chief 'deeply concerned' over developments in Burkina Faso amid coup

Following Sunday’s military coup in Burkina Faso, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed “deep concern” over developments in the West African country, condemning attempts to “take over a government by the force of arms.”

In a statement released by his spokesperson, the top UN official said he was worried about the safety of President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, whose whereabouts remain unknown since Sunday.

"The Secretary-General is following developments in Burkina Faso with deep concern, he's particularly worried about the whereabouts and safety of President Roch Marc Christian Kabore as well as the worsening security situation following the coup carried out on January 23rd by sections of the armed forces,” Stephane Dujarric said.

Noting that the UN chief “strongly condemns any attempted takeover of government by the force of arms”, the spokesman said Guterres “calls on the coup leaders to lay down their arms”.

The UN chief urged the coup leaders to “ensure the protection of the physical integrity of the president and of the institutions of Burkina Faso”.

He also called on “all actors to exercise restraint and opt for dialogue”.

Burkina Faso president ‘detained’ by mutinous soldiers at military camp

President Kabore’s detention comes after troops staged mutinies at several army barracks.

The military coup was announced by Captain Sidsore Kader Ouedraogo, a spokesman for the military government, on state television Monday.

He said the army had seized power in response to the "ongoing degradation of the security situation" in the landlocked country and the "incapacity of the government" to unite people.

The dramatic coup saw President Kabore being ousted, the country’s constitution being suspended, and the government and parliament being dissolved.

The army also closed the borders, and imposed a country-wide curfew.

The televised statement, however, did not mention Kabore's whereabouts. He has not been seen in public since Sunday.

According to reports, quoting security sources, Kabore was detained by mutinying soldiers at a military camp following a heavy gunfire around his residence in the capital Ouagadougou.

A report in CNN said Kabore was detained early Monday by soldiers “that had taken control of a military base before storming the palace grounds and firing shots near the president's home.”

The report further said that Kabore had signed his resignation and was being kept in a "safe place" in the West African country.

On Monday afternoon, a message was posted on his Twitter account, urging those involved in the military coup to lower their arms.

"Our nation is going through difficult times," the tweet said. "We must in this precise moment, preserve our democratic achievements. I invite those who took arms to lower them in the superior interest of the nation. It is through dialogue and listening that we must resolve our contradictions."

Notre Nation vit des moments difficiles.
Nous devons en ce moment précis sauvegarder nos acquis démocratiques.
J'invite ceux qui ont pris les armes à les déposer dans l'intérêt Supérieur de la Nation.
C'est par le dialogue et l'écoute que nous devons régler nos contradictions.RK

— Roch KABORE (@rochkaborepf) January 24, 2022

The African country on Sunday saw widespread protests in support of the mutinous troops. Demonstrators ransacked the headquarters of Kabore's political party.

Reports said civilians in Ouagadougou on Monday gathered on the streets honking car horns and cheering in support of the military.

There has been frustration in the West African country over deadly terrorist operations, including by Daesh and al-Qaeda-linked terrorist groups. The soldiers have been demanding more support for their fight against terrorists.

Reiterating the UN’s full commitment to the “preservation of the constitutional order”, Guterres reaffirmed the world body’s support to the people of Burkina Faso “in their efforts to find solutions to the multifaceted challenges facing the country.”

Earlier this month, the UN special representative for West Africa had told the Security Council that resurgence in Burkina Faso “is often the consequence of political practices that are completely out of step with the aspirations of the populations.”

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