(Bloomberg) — The government of Burkina Faso denied that a coup attempt was underway after heavy gunfire was reported military facilities on Sunday, following months of protests calling for President Roch Marc Christian Kabore to step down.
Shooting was reported at the military airport in the capital Ouagadougou early Sunday, a day after security forces fired tear gas at demonstrators demanding the resignation of President Marc Christian Kabore. Gunshots were also reported at the Baba Sy artillery regiment in Kaya, the nation’s fifth largest city, and at the Sangoule Lamizana base and military prison. Reuters earlier reported the gunfire.
The government confirmed there had been gunfire around certain military installations, but denied social media reports of a coup, administration spokesman Alkassoum Maiga said in a statement. Kabore maintains his faith in the army, the statement said. Eight soldiers were arrested on suspicions of an attempted coup earlier this month.
Read More: Burkina Faso’s President Pledges Reforms in Face of Protests
Pressure on Kabore to resign has been mounting over his administration’s failure to quell the deadly violence by Islamist militants linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Militants killed hundreds of soldiers and civilians last year, forcing more than 1.5 million people to flee. The insurgents have also targeted gold-mining operations — the country’s main source of income.
Kabore has been in power since 2015, a year after long-serving leader Blaise Compaore was ousted in a popular uprising.
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(Adds government denial of coup in first and thrid paragraphs)
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