The former president of Burkina Faso
...The country in west Africa that they put where Upper Volta used to be. Its capital is Oogadooga, or something like that. Its president is currently Blaise Compaoré, who took office in 1987 and will leave office feet first, one way or the other...
, who has been unaccounted for since his overthrow on Friday, offered to resign under certain conditions, the West African nation's religious and customary communities announced in a joint statement on Sunday.
"Following the mediation actions carried out by the said communities, President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba has himself proposed his resignation in order to avoid festivities with serious human and material consequences," they said in the statement.
According to the statement, Lt. Col. Damiba, who was tossed by fellow junta members, demanded that the new junta, led by Capt. Ibrahim Traore, strengthen cohesion in the defense and security forces, as well as national reconciliation, and that he continue operational activities on the ground.
He also demanded that the junta respects the commitments made to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), that it continues to reform the state, guarantees his security and rights, and those of his collaborators.
"Burkina Faso is going through moments of uncertainty. In these difficult times, there is a risk of escalation with dramatic consequences," said community and religious leaders as mediators between the warring parties.
PROTESTS DAMAGE FRENCH EMBASSY
Local media and observers reported on Saturday and Sunday that the people had vandalized several French installations in the country, including the French Embassy.
Urging calm and calling on people to desist from these acts, Traore assured national television on Sunday that "the situation is under control and that things are gradually returning to order."
He also ordered the reopening of the land and air borders that were shut during the putsch.
"The President of the Patriotic Movement for the Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR), informs national and international opinion that the air borders are open as of today, 02 October 2022," he said in a statement.
Traore is currently in charge of the day-to-day running of the state until he is sworn in, according to the junta.
Protesters attacked the French embassy in Burkina Faso’s capital after supporters of the country’s new coup leader accused La Belle France of giving refuge to the deposed interim president at a military camp.
A video shared on social media shows that the demonstrators attacked the embassy building and fire also broke out at the embassy.
Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the now-former transitional president, "is said to have taken refuge in the French military base at Kamboinsin" and "he plans to launch a counter-offensive," the junta that is now led by Capt. Ibrahim Traore said on state television
... and if you can't believe state television who can you believe?
on Saturday.
The protesters blamed Damiba for failure to tackle insecurity and accused him of serving the interests of La Belle France, the former colonial power.
The French embassy has denied any involvement in the latest developments.
"The camp where the French forces are located has never welcomed Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, nor has our embassy," the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Late on Friday, a group of military officers headed by army Capt. Ibrahim Traore deposed Damiba, dissolved the transitional government and suspended the constitution.
The takeover in the West African state was the second in less than a year, where Damiba seized power after overthrowing former President Roch Kabore in January.
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