Heavy gunfire heard amid Burkina Faso mutiny

Burkina Faso’s current president is Lt Col Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who led a coup against outgoing incumbent Roch Kaboré in January.

He had been in the vanguard of the nation’s struggle against Islamist militants after receiving military training from the US and France.

Even last year, he published a book titled West African Armies and Terrorism: Uncertain Responses on the subject.

The captain who proclaimed the January coup, Lt Col. Damiba, read a statement on his behalf that highlighted the deteriorating security situation as the main justification for toppling Mr. Kaboré.

Burkina Faso appears to be attempting a coup.

There seems to be a coup attempt going on in Burkina Faso.

Gunshots have been heard close to the presidential palace, and military trucks have blocked entrance to important buildings like the national assembly, the national broadcaster, and the prime minister’s residence.

President Roch Kaboré was overthrown in a coup by the country’s current leader, Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba, only in January.

Inability of the democratically elected president to stop Islamist militant attacks led to his ouster. Lt. Col. Damiba might now suffer a same fate.

The country’s persistent insecurity was blamed on him by hundreds of protestors who came to the streets of Bobo Dioulasso on Thursday and demanded his resignation.

There is a strong military presence, according to eyewitnesses, all around the city.

Residents are staying home while waiting for updates on the most recent news, with schools closed.

Authorities in Burkina Faso have been battling to stop militant group attacks since 2015.

In a militant strike on Monday in the northern province of Soum, 11 soldiers were killed and 50 civilians were reported missing.