Heavy gunfire heard amid Burkina Faso mutiny

The army is experiencing a “internal crisis.” – AFP

According to Lionel Bilgo, a government spokesman for Burkina Faso, there is a “internal crisis in the army.”

“Discussions are ongoing in an effort to come to a peaceful settlement,” Mr. Bilgo stated.

More shooting close to the presidential residence – Reuters

According to allegations of either a mutiny or an attempted coup, additional gunshots has been reported close to Burkina Faso’s presidential palace.

This morning at the same region, there were reports of gunfire and a huge explosion.

Lt-Col Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the military’s supreme commander, has pleaded with the populace to maintain calm.

Burkina Faso has undergone how many coups?

Only three African nations have had more coups than Burkina Faso, which has experienced nine throughout its history.

Although a government source informed the BBC that the unrest was a mutiny, there are allegations that the present unrest in the capital may be a coup attempt.

In response to national fears over a jihadist insurrection, Lt Col Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba overthrew former President Roch Kaboré in January 2022.

Burkina Faso had previously experienced a tenuous stability despite the security and political unpredictability in West Africa.

West Africa has recently experienced a surge of coups, including ones in Mali and Guinea, as the continent fights against Islamist militancy.