Burkina Faso govt denies army takeover after barracks gunfire

In Burkina Faso, government says that the army has not seized control of the country after exchanges of gunfire took place at multiple army barracks, including two in the capital, Ouagadougou yesterday.

 

The government confirmed the gunfire, but denied reports on social media that the army had seized power.

 

The defence ministery said, the crisis had been contained, though there was still shooting reports at some barracks.

 

Weapons fire was heard at the Sangoule Lamizana camp, which houses the army's general staff



and a prison whose inmates include soldiers involved in a failed 2015 coup attempt.

 

The gunfire sparked fears that a fresh coup attempt was underway after weeks of growing frustration with the government's handling of the Islamic insurgency wracking the country.

 

The government has also repeatedly cut internet services, and has cracked down on public protests against the growing instability.

 

Earlier, On 11 January, 10 soldiers had been arrested over an alleged coup plot.