Burkina Faso president reportedly detained by military

The president of Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, has reportedly been detained by mutinying soldiers.

Some troops in the West African nation have demanded the sacking of military chiefs and better resources to fight Islamist militants.

Gunfire had been heard overnight near the presidential palace and at barracks in the capital, Ouagadougou.

The government, however, denied suggestions of a military coup or that the president was under arrest.

Defied curfew

President Kaboré was detained at a military camp by mutinying soldiers, foreign media reports say.

Filmed footage from the capital appears to show armoured vehicles – reportedly used by the presidency – peppered with bulletholes and abandoned in the street.

Simon Gongo, the BBC’s reporter in Ouagadougou, says the city is quiet again. However, soldiers have surrounded the headquarters of the state television station.

Hundreds of people had come out in support of the soldiers despite a government-imposed curfew. Some of them set fire to the ruling party’s headquarters.

The unrest comes a week after 11 soldiers were arrested for allegedly plotting a coup.

But discontent has been growing in Burkina Faso over the government’s failure to eliminate an Islamist insurgency in the country since 2015.

That escalated to new highs in November, when 53 people were killed by suspected jihadists. And on Saturday, a banned rally to protest against the government’s perceived failure led to dozens of arrests.

Echoes from Mali

Similar troubles in neighbouring Mali led to a military coup in May 2021 – one that was broadly welcomed by the public.

In Burkina Faso, mutinying soldiers have made several demands, including the removal of the army chief of staff and the head of the intelligence service, more troops to be deployed to the front line, and better conditions for the wounded and soldiers’ families.

On Sunday, the defence minister, General Barthélémy Simporé, downplayed previous rumours of the president’s capture and descriptions of the nature of the unrest at large.

Meanwhile, state television had characterised the sound of gunfire at military barracks as the actions of a few disgruntled soldiers, rather than a widespread fight or coup attempt.

On Monday, amid disruptions to internet service, much confusion remained in the capital, with no clear statement published by either side.