Almost two weeks since the coup in Burkina Faso, coup leader Gen. Gilbert Diendere (pictured) has been charged for his crimes, reports the BBC.
RELATED: BURKINA FASO COUP OVER, PRESIDENT KAFANDO RESTORED TO POWER
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In mid-September — just a few short weeks before the West African nation was scheduled to have their presidential election in October — the presidential guard, who were loyal to former deposed President Blaise Compaore, stormed a cabinet meeting, detaining interim President Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Isaac Zida.
Soon after, Gen. Diendere would name himself the new leader of the nation, causing thousands of Burkinabes to protest in the streets.
The Economic Community of Western States (ECOWAS) leaders Macky Sall, president of Senegal, and Thomas Boni Yayi, president of Benin, would immediately step in, mediating in the capital, Ouagadougou, and ultimately getting both Gen. Diendere — and the presidential guard — to step down by September 23.
As Face2Face Africa previously reported:
…While the terms of the accord are yet to be made public, the presidential guard did sign a peace agreement with the army in front of the traditional king of the Mossi ethnic group, Mogho Naba (pictured, Burkinabe’s most-influential leader), and ECOWAS leaders Tuesday night, agreeing to return to their barracks and withdraw from the capital.
By Wednesday, Kafando released the following statement, applauding Burkinabes — as well as the international community — for actively rejecting the coup.
In spite of his calls for amnesty, this week, Gen. Diendere was charged with 11 crimes, including murder, threatening state security, voluntary assault, collusion with foreign forces, and willful destruction of property.
Gen. Diendere will likely face a military tribunal during his trial.
Alleged coup conspirator former Foreign Minister Djibril Bassole was also charged with crimes despite his insistence that he was not part of the coup.
During the coup, 10 people were killed and more than 100 were wounded.
RELATED: BURKINA FASO COUP LEADER IGNORES DEADLINE TO STEP DOWN
