B’Faso: Coup leader awaits Abuja as army sets for showdown

Tension is now very high in Burkina Faso as troops loyal to the deposed government said they were preparing to attack the Camp Naaba military base near the capital’s presidential palace, which is held by troops who staged a coup last week.

Loyalist troops have been massing on the capital on Tuesday without resistance and have told those behind the coup of Thursday, which derailed a democratic transition process, to disarm and surrender by 10am (10am GMT) or face attack.

As the deadline expired, the leader of the coup General Gilbert Diendere held a press conference where he said he was awaiting the outcome of an ECOWAS summit in Abuja, Nigeria, where African leaders were discussing developments in Burkina Faso even as he said he was still in charge.

“I’m not stalling for time. I’m within the time allotted to me,” he said.

Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque, reporting from Ouagadougou, said the situation in the capital was tense even as the country’s state TV channel was showing a wildlife documentary.

Read also: Burkina Faso army reaches capital to quell coup

“Minutes before the deadline expired, General Diendere called a press conference and released a statement saying he wants to stand by the framework agreement that was negotiated with ECOWAS,” Haque reported.

“The civil society and most of the people here don’t agree with this agreement”. The coup plotters are said to be still showing their might.

“The presidential guard has locked down the presidential palace. They are out in full force. They have also positioned themselves around Burkina Faso’s public television and radio station which is currently running animal documentary.”

The overthrow of the civilian interim government, President Michel Kafando on Thursday was widely condemned by African Union and other bodies.

The coup leader, General Diendere has said that he would remain president until elections, which is slated for October 11.

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