The African Union (AU) condemned on Saturday the coup that took place in Burkina Faso on Friday.
According to an official statement, Chairperson of the AU Commission Moussa Faki condemned the “unconstitutional change of government” in Burkina Faso.
The AU also called on the Burkinabe army to “immediately and completely refrain from any acts of violence or threats to the civilian population, civil liberties, and human rights.”
Moreover, the union demanded the restoration of constitutional order by July 2024 “at the latest.”
Despite the condemnation of the AU, reports revealed that calm had returned on Saturday to the streets of the capital, Ouagadougou, after the military coup.
On Friday, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henry Sandaugo Damiba was ousted from power after a coup that brought in 34-year-old soldier Ibrahim Traoré in his place.
The country’s official TV station is still under siege by the putschists amid the spread of security forces backed by pickups, armoured vehicles, and a large number of soldiers.
Officer Traoré noted that Damiba’s inability to cope with the Islamist insurgency was the reason for his overthrow.
Traoré also announced the closure of land and air borders, as well as the suspension of the Constitution and the dissolution of the government and the transitional Legislative Council.
