The coup d’etat which started on September 16th when Presidential Guard (RSP) General Gilbert Diendere, temporarily overthrew the transitional government, has ended.

You can imagine the panic in this country when impostors announced they’d taken the interim President, Prime Minister and two Cabinet Members hostage.  Overnight, they (the RSP) declared a coup d’etat, informing the population they were now in charge and would be overseeing upcoming elections.  Young adults took to the streets immediately in protest, and were met with gunfire. All borders and the International Airport were closed, a mandatory curfew was instated, and the Burkina population called on all public and private services to strike, shutting down everything from hospitals and pharmacies to banks, gas stations and schools.

Fast-forward to September 28 when the Burkina Army asked the population to stand down, and soldiers were called in from all military camps to put an end to the RSP’s refusal to surrender. As soldiers were convoyed to the capital city to attack, the population met them at their town limits, and cheered them on to the next town.

Apparently, Burkina soldiers were able to surround the rebel camp, and tanks were fired,  sending a final warning.  The RSP accepted defeat, surrendering their weapons. It is reported there was no bloodshed during this attack.  The coup leader has been handed over to the Burkina Justice department and awaits sentencing.

We’re told between 15-20 were civilians were killed during the initial protests and hundreds injured.  It is difficult to know how many died needlessly because hospitals and pharmacies were closed.

The elections, previously scheduled for October 11th will be rescheduled to sometime in November.