Coup in Burkina Faso

On Wednesday, September 16, military guards known as the Presidential Security Regime (RSP) seized Burkina Faso’s interim president, prime minister, and two cabinet ministers in what Chérif Sy, head of the country’s parliament, called “a serious attack on the republic and its institutions.” This conflict marks the latest episode of Burkinabé political uprising following the October 2014 demonstrations against the former president for 27 years, Blaise Compaoré, leading to his resignation and the creation of an interim government. The recent coup was staged just two days after a report by the political reform commission recommended dissolving the military group for its support of the former president. The RSP, led by General Gilbert Diendéré, declared a military junta administration called the National Council for Democracy after taking control of the government. This group opened the nation’s borders while stating that they had the “intention not to stay in power for a long time.” On September 18, the group released interim President Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Isaac Zida. However, as troops converged on Ouagadougou and General Diendéré’s assets were frozen, Diendéré ordered the group who carried out the coup to demobilize. On September 23, interim president Michel Kafando was restored to power after an emergency meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).