Burkina Faso: Coup Leaders Surrender, Premier Zida Released
By MISNA
Burkina Faso’s armed forces commanders are negotiating the surrender of the coup leaders headed by General Gilbert Diendéré, MISNA sources confirm from the capital Ouagadougou, after the announcement of the release this morning of Prime Minister Isaac Zida by the junta formed last Thursday.
“Let’s hope that the negotiation succeeds in averting an armed conflict between the Presidential Security Regiment headed by Diendéré and army units that arrived last night from the east, west and north of the country”, the sources said from the capital.
Zida had been detained by the junta after entering in conflict on numerous occasions with Diendéré and his elite force. Also transitional President Michel Kafando was previously freed and took his distances from any possible compromise suggested by West African mediators and is currently at the French Embassy in Ouagadougou.
Military officers this morning reiterated to the France-Presse news agency that their aim is to obtain the surrender of the Regiment “without a shot fired”. The columns of troops were welcomed yesterday by cheering youths in the suburbs of the capital. Unpopular for his loyalty to former president Blaise Compaoré, General Diendéré counts on a 1,300-strong force, inferior numerically to the army but well armed and trained. The officer last night renewed his call to respect the proposal presented by the African mediators that also contemplated the release of Kafando and Zida.
