Tags: AF | Burkina Faso

Soldiers Leave Capital, Burkina Faso Returns to Calm

Soldiers Leave Capital, Burkina Faso Returns to Calm

Thursday, 24 September 2015 01:20 PM EDT

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — People lined up at gas stations and money machines in Burkina Faso's capital on Thursday as life began returning to normal after a week-long coup.

Once interim President Michel Kafando and interim Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac Zida were reinstalled on Wednesday, government soldiers who had remained loyal to the government withdrew overnight. The presidential guard that staged the coup were confined to their barracks.

People in Ouagadougou went out early Thursday to buy sheep at the market for slaughter in celebration of Eid al-Adha, known here as Tabaski, one of Islam's most important holidays.

During prayers, Muslim leader Aboubakar Sana called for peace and dialogue that will lead to free and fair elections in this West African country. Elections had been scheduled for Oct. 11 before the coup but it is doubtful that date can be met.

Leaders with the Economic Community of West African States suggested a Nov. 22 election date and recommended that allies of former President Blaise Compaore, who was ousted in an uprising last October, be allowed to field candidates. It was members of the presidential guard loyal to Compaore who had mounted the coup, unhappy that the transitional government had barred his supporters from contesting the elections.

Coup leader Gen. Gilbert Diendere expressed his regrets on Wednesday.

"My biggest mistake was carrying out this coup," he said. "We have seen what has happened, that the people were not in favor of it. That is why we gave it up."

He said he regretted that lives were lost and time was wasted.

At least 10 people were killed and 108 injured during demonstrations against the coup.

© Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Africa
People lined up at gas stations and money machines in Burkina Faso's capital on Thursday as life began returning to normal after a week-long coup.Once interim President Michel Kafando and interim Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac Zida were reinstalled on Wednesday, government...
AF,Burkina Faso
274
2015-20-24
Thursday, 24 September 2015 01:20 PM
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