Envoys from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS and the UN met Burkina Faso's former President Roch Marc Christian Kabore on Monday.

Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, the head of a delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to Burkina Faso, said she had met with the ousted president and that he was well and "in good spirits.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, head of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR) that controls Burkina Faso after a military takeover early in January, has become the president of Burkina Faso, Anadolu Agency reported.

The African Union (AU) Commission has decided to suspend Burkina Faso's participation in AU events following the military takeover, which saw the removal of President Marc Roch Kabore from office.

"Council decides in line w/ the relevant AU instruments, to suspend the participation of #BurkinaFaso in all AU activities until the effective restoration of constitutional order in the country," read a Twitter post from the AU Commission's Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department. 

On January 28, the Economic Community of West African States also suspended the membership of Burkina Faso over the military coup.

The military of Burkina Faso announced on January 24 that they had seized power and put an end to the functions of President Kabore.

Last week, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, head of the military, made a national address and promised a return to normal constitutional order within a limited time frame and called for support from the international community.

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Burkina Faso's military authorities promise return of constitutional order

A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has arrived in Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, local media Radio Omega reported Saturday.

The delegation is led by Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Commission Francis Behanzin, the report said. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, head of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR) that controls Burkina Faso, has promised a return to normal constitutional order within a limited time frame and called for support from the international community.

Damiba made the remarks on Thursday in a televised national address, days after leading the ousting of President Roch Marc Christian Kabore. It was his first major public appearance since last weekend.

"Burkina Faso more than ever needs its international partners. I call on the international community to support our country so it can exit this crisis as soon as possible," he said, adding the country will continue to abide by its international commitments, in particular in respect of human rights, and preserve the functioning of the judiciary.

Damiba, a rising star in the military who commands an eastern region in Burkina Faso, said security issues remained the priority and the country would devote sufficient resources to significantly reduce terrorism and violent extremism.

Meanwhile, consultations have begun with all parties, including outgoing politicians, he revealed, in order to help rebuild and restore lasting peace. 

Burkina Faso soldiers said on January 24 that they had seized power and put an end to the presidency of Kabore. 

Shortly after the announcement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned military coups, saying they are not acceptable in the 21st century.

(With input from AFP and Xinhua)

Burkina Faso's ousted president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore, "is physically well" and is being held by the army in a villa, according to AFP, citing a source in his party on Wednesday.

"President Kabore is physically well, but I cannot say anything about his state of mind," said a source in Kabore's People's Movement for Progress (MPP) party.

Kabore "is still in the hands of the army, not in a military camp, but in a presidential villa under house arrest," the source added. "He has a doctor available... (and) access to his mobile phone, but under surveillance, obviously."

Military authorities in Burkina Faso have announced the reopening of the country's air borders on Tuesday after The Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR) took power, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, local media reported.

Land borders remain closed except for the transport of essential goods, humanitarian supplies, and military equipment, according to the report. 

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced in a statement on Tuesday that following the military coup in Burkina Faso, a extraordinary summit will be held in the coming days to examine the situation.

"The ECOWAS notes that, despite calls from the regional and international community for calm and respect for constitutional legality, the situation in Burkina Faso is characterized by a military coup this Monday, January 24, 2022, following the resignation of the President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, obtained under threat, intimidation and pressure from the military after two days of mutiny," the statement said.

The ECOWAS also "strongly condemned this coup by the military which marks a major democratic setback for Burkina Faso".

In a press release on Tuesday, the South African Government said it agrees with the ECOWAS that soldiers should return to barracks and utilize dialogue with the authorities to resolve all problems.

There can never be a military solution to issues of this nature, dialogue and negotiation are the only means of resolving conflict and arriving at lasting resolutions, said the statement.

Burkina Faso soldiers said Monday on national television that they had seized power and put an end to the functions of President Roch Kabore. The Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR) took power, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba.

Burkina Faso's air borders are reopened on Tuesday, the MPSR announced in a statement on Burkina Faso's national television.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Place de la Nation in Ouagadougou on Tuesday. One demonstrator said they came out to show their support for the military. However, they were dispersed when they tried to move towards the Camp of Guillaume Ouedraogo in the city center.

Tunisia's national carrier has suspended flights to and from Burkina Faso following a military coup in the West African country.

TunisAir's suspension of flights comes a day after the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR), which said it was behind the coup against President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, announced the closure of all borders.

In their first press briefing since the coup, MPSR on Monday presented Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba as the head of the group.

The army broadcast came after two days of uncertainty in the capital Ouagadougou, where heavy gunfire erupted at army camps on Sunday, with soldiers demanding more support for their fight against armed groups.

The military also announced a nighttime curfew and the dissolution of the government as well as parliament.

Following the developments in the West African country, the United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said in a statement that he "strongly condemns any attempted takeover of government by the force of arms."

The Chinese Embassy in Burkina Faso issued a safety reminder on Monday, after the army announced it had ousted President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, dissolved the government and the national assembly, and closed the borders.

In the alert, the embassy reminded Chinese citizens in Burkina Faso to stay calm and only go out for essential trips. 

Further, those planning to leave the country should adjust their travel schedule following the border closure.

An official from the Chinese Embassy in Burkina Faso said the military appears to have taken over the country.

The situation in Burkina Faso's capital is generally calm for now with no clashes and no report of casualties in the last two days, Wang Wenzhang, Chinese counselor for political affairs in Burkina Faso, told China Media Group on Monday. 

Mobile network communication in Ouagadougou has been suspended since Sunday. Chinese enterprises, institutions and overseas Chinese in the country have suspended operations in accordance with the safety alert issued by the Chinese Embassy.

Earlier, it had been reported that President Roch Marc Christian Kabore was detained overnight by mutinous soldiers at a military camp. But it's still unclear who is in charge of the country at the moment.

Wang said around 500 Chinese nationals in the country are in safety, adding the Chinese Embassy will closely follow the development in the country. 

Burkina Faso's President Roch Marc Christian Kabore has been detained at a military camp a day after soldiers staged mutinies at several barracks, several media reported on Monday, citing sources. 

Whereabouts of Kabore remain unknown, and he has not appeared in public since heavy gunfire erupted at military camps on Sunday.
But a Twitter post was sent on Monday from his account called on those who have taken up arms to lay them down.

"Our nation is going through difficult moments. We must at this precise moment safeguard our democratic norms. I invite those who have taken up arms to lay them down in the higher interest of the nation," said the post.

Following Sunday's gunshot report, Burkina Faso's Defense Minister General Barthelemy Simpore initially denied information on social media about the army takeover. Simpore also denied that the President has been detained by mutinying soldiers, saying the situation was under control.

The country on Sunday imposed a country-wide curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., according to a decree signed by the President.
But residents of the President's neighborhood reported heavy gunfire overnight.

Several armored vehicles of the presidential fleet, riddled with bullets, could be seen near the President's residence on Monday morning, Reuters reported, adding that one was spattered with blood.
There isn't any public report of casualties yet.

The minister of national education in Burkina Faso also announced the closure of schools on Monday and Tuesday. 

(With input from Reuters and Xinhua)

A country-wide curfew from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. was imposed on Sunday in Burkina Faso, following the report of gunfire in some barracks in the morning, according to a decree signed by President Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

And the country's minister of education announced in a statement the closure of schools on Monday and Tuesday.

Gunshots were heard early Sunday morning in barracks in the capital Ouagadougou and other cities. The government confirmed the gunfire, but denied social media reports of an army takeover.

Defense Minister General Barthelemy Simpore declared on the state television that the situation was under control, denying rumors that the president had been detained by soldiers.

According to local sources, later in the day, the headquarters of Burkina Faso's ruling party in Ouagadougou was set on fire by protesters. Internet was partially cut off.

The Economic Community of West African States has called for calm and reaffirmed its support for President Kabore.

Burkina Faso's government on Sunday confirmed gunfire at some military camps but denied reports that the army had seized power.

Gunshots were heard in several barracks in the West African country on Sunday, including two in the capital Ouagadougou.

"Information on social media would have people believe there was an army takeover," government spokesman Alkassoum Maiga said in a statement.

"The government, while recognizing the validity of shootings in some barracks, denies this information and calls on the population to remain calm."

Residents in the Gounghin district in the west of Ouagadougou reported heavy gunfire at the Sangoule Lamizana camp and military prison where an army general is being held.

"Since 1 a.m., gunfire has been heard here in Gounghin coming from the Sangoule Lamizana camp," a soldier in the area confirmed to AFP. Local inhabitants said soldiers had come out of the barracks firing in the air and sealed off the area around it. 

Shots were heard at the Baby Sy barracks in the south of the capital as well as at an air base near the airport, which was also sealed off by soldiers in balaclavas, according to local residents.

There was also gunfire at barracks in the northern towns of Kaya and Ouahigouya, residents there told AFP. Meanwhile, mobile internet services were down on Sunday morning.

According to Reuters, protesters in the capital also burned and looted the headquarters of President Roch Marc Kabore's political party on Sunday.

Defense Minister General Bathelemy Simpore denied rumors that the president had been detained following the gunfire, adding the motive for the shooting by the soldiers was still unclear.

He told nationwide TV that "none of the Republic's institutions has been troubled at the present moment." He added that these were "localized, limited" incidents "in a few barracks."

The landlocked West African state ranks among the poorest in the world, and has had little stability since gaining independence from France in 1960.

(With input from AFP)