Burkina Faso's military junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore said on Friday (Sep 29) that the promised elections will only be held in the country once the security situation permits.

Burkina Faso's military junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore said on Friday (Sep 29) that the promised elections will only be held in the country once the security situation permits. In an interview, Captain Traore was asked, "Are you saying that as long as there is no security, there will be no elections?" Replying to this question, he said, "No, there won't be an election concentrated solely in Ouagadougou, Bougouriba and a few surrounding towns. All Burkinabes must choose their president. Those who are going to apply must be able to go anywhere in Burkina, for the people of Burkina. That's it, go and campaign and all that." He highlighted that the junta has to ensure security first, adding that the junta took over the country for security so that citizens could live with dignity and peace of mind. "And once (security) that's assured, people will be able to move around freely, go where they want, do their campaigning. And then, allow all the people of Burkina Faso to choose their president. That's what we want,” Traore added. Junta supporters mark first anniversary of coup Ibrahim Traore's remarks came as hundreds of supporters of the military junta marked the first anniversary of the coup on Friday. Traore took power on Sept. 30 last year, ousting the leader of another coup who had seized power eight months earlier. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, supporters gathered at the Place de la Nation waving Burkinabe flags. Some held signs with pictures of Traore. The rebellions were welcomed by many citizens fed up with worsening insecurity and disillusioned by their government. A few days back, the military junta said it had thwarted a coup attempt against it, and that investigations were underway to determine who was behind the plot. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Election will be held in Burkina Faso only when...: Junta leader

Military officers on Friday said they had dismissed the leader of Burkina Faso's junta, in the country's second coup this year.

They declared the removal of Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who himself came to power in a coup in January, in a statement read out on national television.&nbsp;

The rebelling military also announced the closure of borders from midnight, as well as the suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of the government.

They proclaimed Captain Ibrahim Traore as the country's new strongman.

Around 15 soldiers in fatigues appeared on the Radio-Television broadcaster shortly before 8:00 pm local time.

"We have decided to take our responsibilities, driven by a single ideal -- the restoration of security and integrity of our territory,"&nbsp;they said.

A curfew from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am was also announced.

The United States said it was “deeply concerned” by events in Ouagadougou and was encouraging US citizens to limit movements.

“We call for a return to calm and restraint by all actors,” a US state department spokesperson said.

Earlier on Friday, the government said an "internal crisis" within the army. There were troop deployments in key areas of the capital, and negotiations had been underway after shots rang out before dawn.

Gunfire was heard around the presidential palace and headquarters of the military junta, witnesses told AFP.

The transitional government, set up by Damiba and his team, had said there had been an "internal crisis in the army", after AFP journalists saw troops block several main roads in Ouagadougou.

Government spokesman Lionel Bilgo had said the "crisis" was based on army pay claims, and that Damiba was taking part in discussions.

During the morning, shots rang out in the Ouaga 2000 neighbourhood which houses both the presidential and military junta headquarters, an AFP video journalist said.

A resident who lives close to the presidential palace said: "I heard heavy detonations around 4:30 am and now the roads around my home have been sealed off by military vehicles."

State television was cut for several hours on Friday, prior to the military announcement, broadcasting just a blank screen with the message "no video signal".

Troops were seen at the city's main crossroads, especially in Ouaga 2000,&nbsp;and&nbsp;also outside the state television centre.&nbsp;

In the afternoon, an AFP journalist saw a group of several hundred people gather in a city square making a range of demands, including the ouster of Damiba and the end of the French military presence.

The French foreign ministry told its citizens in the city, believed to number&nbsp;between 4,000 and 5,000, to stay home.

In Brussels, the EU voiced "concern" at the events unfolding in the Burkina capital.

"A military movement was observed from 04:30 this morning. The situation still remains particularly confused," said spokeswoman Nabila Massrali, before the announcement of the latest coup.

By the evening, the soldiers were still in place at key points of the city, and streets were mostly deserted.&nbsp;

Violence has long wracked the landlocked west African country where Damiba took power in a January coup, ousting elected leader Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

Damiba had pledged to restore civilian rule within two years and to defeat the armed factions.

As in bordering countries, insurgents affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have stoked unrest.

Thousands have died and about two million have been displaced by the fighting since 2015 when the insurgency spread into Burkina Faso, which has since become the epicentre of the violence across the Sahel.

Damiba earlier this month sacked his defence minister and assumed the role himself.

More than 40 per cent of Burkina Faso, a former French colony, is outside government control.

Attacks have increased since mid-March, despite the junta's vow to make security its top priority.

September has been particularly bloody.&nbsp;On Monday, suspected jihadists attacked a convoy carrying supplies to the town of Djibo in the north of the country. The government said 11 soldiers died and around 50 civilians were missing.

On September 5, an improvised explosive device struck a supply convoy in the north killing 35 civilians and wounding 37.

The following day, at least nine people, including seven civilians and two soldiers, were killed in two separate attacks by suspected jihadists.

In June, 86 civilians died in a massacre at Seytenga, near the border with Niger.

Much of the impoverished Sahel region is battling the insurgency.

Starting in northern Mali in 2012, the insurgents attacked neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger in 2015.

The violence has in recent years begun to spill over into coastal states Ivory Coast, Togo and Benin.

Military officers on Friday said they had dismissed the leader of Burkina Faso's junta, in the country's second coup this year. They declared the removal of Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who himself came to power in a coup in January, in a statement read out on national television.

Military officers on Friday said they had dismissed the leader of Burkina Faso's junta, in the country's second coup this year. They declared the removal of Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who himself came to power in a coup in January, in a statement read out on national television. The rebelling military also announced the closure of borders from midnight, as well as the suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of the government. They proclaimed Captain Ibrahim Traore as the country's new strongman. Around 15 soldiers in fatigues appeared on the Radio-Television broadcaster shortly before 8:00 pm local time. "We have decided to take our responsibilities, driven by a single ideal -- the restoration of security and integrity of our territory," they said. A curfew from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am was also announced. The United States said it was “deeply concerned” by events in Ouagadougou and was encouraging US citizens to limit movements. “We call for a return to calm and restraint by all actors,” a US state department spokesperson said. Earlier on Friday, the government said an "internal crisis" within the army. There were troop deployments in key areas of the capital, and negotiations had been underway after shots rang out before dawn. Gunfire was heard around the presidential palace and headquarters of the military junta, witnesses told AFP. The transitional government, set up by Damiba and his team, had said there had been an "internal crisis in the army", after AFP journalists saw troops block several main roads in Ouagadougou. Government spokesman Lionel Bilgo had said the "crisis" was based on army pay claims, and that Damiba was taking part in discussions. During the morning, shots rang out in the Ouaga 2000 neighbourhood which houses both the presidential and military junta headquarters, an AFP video journalist said. A resident who lives close to the presidential palace said: "I heard heavy detonations around 4:30 am and now the roads around my home have been sealed off by military vehicles." State television was cut for several hours on Friday, prior to the military announcement, broadcasting just a blank screen with the message "no video signal". Troops were seen at the city's main crossroads, especially in Ouaga 2000, and also outside the state television centre. In the afternoon, an AFP journalist saw a group of several hundred people gather in a city square making a range of demands, including the ouster of Damiba and the end of the French military presence. The French foreign ministry told its citizens in the city, believed to number between 4,000 and 5,000, to stay home. In Brussels, the EU voiced "concern" at the events unfolding in the Burkina capital. "A military movement was observed from 04:30 this morning. The situation still remains particularly confused," said spokeswoman Nabila Massrali, before the announcement of the latest coup. By the evening, the soldiers were still in place at key points of the city, and streets were mostly deserted. Violence has long wracked the landlocked west African country where Damiba took power in a January coup, ousting elected leader Roch Marc Christian Kabore. Damiba had pledged to restore civilian rule within two years and to defeat the armed factions. As in bordering countries, insurgents affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have stoked unrest. Thousands have died and about two million have been displaced by the fighting since 2015 when the insurgency spread into Burkina Faso, which has since become the epicentre of the violence across the Sahel. Damiba earlier this month sacked his defence minister and assumed the role himself. More than 40 per cent of Burkina Faso, a former French colony, is outside government control. Attacks have increased since mid-March, despite the junta's vow to make security its top priority. September has been particularly bloody. On Monday, suspected jihadists attacked a convoy carrying supplies to the town of Djibo in the north of the country. The government said 11 soldiers died and around 50 civilians were missing. On September 5, an improvised explosive device struck a supply convoy in the north killing 35 civilians and wounding 37. The following day, at least nine people, including seven civilians and two soldiers, were killed in two separate attacks by suspected jihadists. In June, 86 civilians died in a massacre at Seytenga, near the border with Niger. Much of the impoverished Sahel region is battling the insurgency. Starting in northern Mali in 2012, the insurgents attacked neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger in 2015. The violence has in recent years begun to spill over into coastal states Ivory Coast, Togo and Benin.

Second coup: Burkina Faso soldiers dismiss junta leader, overthrow government

Myanmar's junta chief on Monday said that the ruling military was committed to peace and democracy, and that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should consider the provocations and violence being carried out by its opponents.

In his first comments since&nbsp;Myanmar's neighbours decided to exclude him from an upcoming ASEAN summit over a lack of commitment to its five-point roadmap, Min Aung Hlaing reiterated the junta's own five-stage plan to restore democracy.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/asean-excludes-myanmar-junta-chief-from-attendance-at-summit-421295">ASEAN excludes Myanmar junta chief from attendance at summit</a>

Min Aung Hlaing, who led the Feb. 1 coup that plunged&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;into deadly chaos, made no mention of the ASEAN decision but suggested the outlawed National Unity Government (NUG) and armed ethnic groups were trying to sabotage the ASEAN-led peace process.

"More violence happened due to provocations of terrorist groups," Min Aung Hlaing said in a speech on television, where he appeared in civilian attire. "No one cares about their violence, and is only demanding we solve the issue. ASEAN should work on that."

ASEAN decided to invite a non-political representative from&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;to its Oct. 26-28 summit, in an unprecedented snub&nbsp;to the military leaders behind the coup against Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government.

Min Aung Hlaing said&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;wanted ASEAN's special envoy, Erywan Yusof, to visit the country as agreed, but some of his demands were non-negotiable. He did not elaborate.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-aung-san-suu-kyis-lawyer-says-he-has-been-issued-a-gag-order-420842">Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyer says he has been issued a gag order</a>

The NUG, a broad alliance of anti-coup groups that includes members of Suu Kyi's ousted ruling party, has backed the training and formation of militias called "People's Defence Forces" behind attacks on security forces in several regions of the country.

The NUG recently declared a nationwide rebellion against military rule.

The shadow government on Monday welcomed ASEAN's exclusion of the junta leader but said the NUG should be the legitimate representative.

Important Step

"ASEAN excluding Min Aung Hlaing is an important step, but we request that they recognise us as the proper representative," said its spokesman Dr. Sasa.

However, he said the NUG would accept inviting a truly neutral alternative&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;representative.

ASEAN's decision was an unusually bold step for the consensus-driven bloc, which traditionally favours a policy of engagement and non-interference.

Watch |&nbsp;1,200 people reportedly killed in Myanmar coup

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/1200-people-reportedly-killed-in-myanmar-coup-419448/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Brunei, ASEAN's current chair, issued a statement citing a lack of progress&nbsp;on a roadmap that the junta had agreed to with ASEAN in April.

A spokesman for the military government at the weekend blamed "foreign intervention" for the decision.

Myanmar&nbsp;has been in turmoil since the coup, which ended a decade of tentative democracy and economic reform. Thousands of its opponents have been arrested, including Suu Kyi.

Security forces have killed more than 1,100 people, according to activists and the United Nations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-to-free-more-than-5000-protesters-after-asean-snub-421743">Myanmar to free more than 5,000 protesters after ASEAN snub</a>

inutes after Min Aung Hlaing's speech, state television announced that more than 5,600 people arrested or subject to arrest warrants over their roles in anti-coup protests would be freed in an amnesty.

It said the decision was on humanitarian grounds and blamed the shadow government for causing the unrest.

Myanmar's junta chief on Monday said that the ruling military was committed to peace and democracy, and that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should consider the provocations and violence being carried out by its opponents.

Myanmar's junta chief on Monday said that the ruling military was committed to peace and democracy, and that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should consider the provocations and violence being carried out by its opponents. In his first comments since Myanmar's neighbours decided to exclude him from an upcoming ASEAN summit over a lack of commitment to its five-point roadmap, Min Aung Hlaing reiterated the junta's own five-stage plan to restore democracy. Also read | ASEAN excludes Myanmar junta chief from attendance at summit Min Aung Hlaing, who led the Feb. 1 coup that plunged Myanmar into deadly chaos, made no mention of the ASEAN decision but suggested the outlawed National Unity Government (NUG) and armed ethnic groups were trying to sabotage the ASEAN-led peace process. "More violence happened due to provocations of terrorist groups," Min Aung Hlaing said in a speech on television, where he appeared in civilian attire. "No one cares about their violence, and is only demanding we solve the issue. ASEAN should work on that." ASEAN decided to invite a non-political representative from Myanmar to its Oct. 26-28 summit, in an unprecedented snub to the military leaders behind the coup against Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government. Min Aung Hlaing said Myanmar wanted ASEAN's special envoy, Erywan Yusof, to visit the country as agreed, but some of his demands were non-negotiable. He did not elaborate. Also Read | Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyer says he has been issued a gag order The NUG, a broad alliance of anti-coup groups that includes members of Suu Kyi's ousted ruling party, has backed the training and formation of militias called "People's Defence Forces" behind attacks on security forces in several regions of the country. The NUG recently declared a nationwide rebellion against military rule. The shadow government on Monday welcomed ASEAN's exclusion of the junta leader but said the NUG should be the legitimate representative. Important Step "ASEAN excluding Min Aung Hlaing is an important step, but we request that they recognise us as the proper representative," said its spokesman Dr. Sasa. However, he said the NUG would accept inviting a truly neutral alternative Myanmar representative. ASEAN's decision was an unusually bold step for the consensus-driven bloc, which traditionally favours a policy of engagement and non-interference. Watch | 1,200 people reportedly killed in Myanmar coup Brunei, ASEAN's current chair, issued a statement citing a lack of progress on a roadmap that the junta had agreed to with ASEAN in April. A spokesman for the military government at the weekend blamed "foreign intervention" for the decision. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the coup, which ended a decade of tentative democracy and economic reform. Thousands of its opponents have been arrested, including Suu Kyi. Security forces have killed more than 1,100 people, according to activists and the United Nations. Also read | Myanmar to free more than 5,000 protesters after ASEAN snub inutes after Min Aung Hlaing's speech, state television announced that more than 5,600 people arrested or subject to arrest warrants over their roles in anti-coup protests would be freed in an amnesty. It said the decision was on humanitarian grounds and blamed the shadow government for causing the unrest.

Myanmar junta leader blames opponents for prolonging unrest

Guinea's new military leaders sought to tighten their grip on power Monday after overthrowing President Alpha Conde, ordering the soldiers from his presidential guard to join the junta forces and barring government officials from leaving the country.

After putting the West African nation back under military rule for the first time in over a decade, the junta already had dissolved the National Assembly and the country's constitution. On Monday, regional military commanders replaced Guinea's governors.

Junta leader Colonel&nbsp;Mamadi Doumbouya said the military regime would not pursue vendettas against political enemies, though he also told officials from Conde's deposed government to turn over their passports.

"There will be no spirit of hatred or revenge. There will be no witch hunt, " said Doumbouya, who had led the Guinean army's special forces unit before seizing power Sunday. "But justice will be the compass that will guide every Guinean citizen."

"For former members of the government, travel outside our borders will not be allowed during the transition," he said during the brief speech. "All your travel documents and vehicles must be handed over to the general secretaries of your former departments."

The military junta has refused to issue a timeline for releasing Conde, saying the 83-year-old deposed leader still had access to medical care and his doctors. The West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS, though, called for his immediate release and threatened to impose sanctions if the demand was not met.

Conde's removal by force Sunday came after the president sought and won a controversial third term in office last year, saying the term limits did not apply to him. While the political opposition and the junta both sought his ouster, it remained unclear Monday how united the two would be going forward.

It also was unknown how much support the junta leader had within the larger military. As the commander of the army's special forces unit, he directed elite soldiers, but it was still possible that others who remained loyal to the ousted president could mount a countercoup in the coming hours or days.

In announcing the coup on state television, Doumbouya cast himself as a patriot of Guinea, which he said had failed to progress economically since gaining independence from France decades earlier. Observers, though, say the tensions between Guinea’s president and the army colonel stem from a recent proposal to cut some military salaries.

"We will no longer entrust politics to one man. We will entrust it to the people, " he said, draped in a Guinean flag with about a half dozen other soldiers flanking him at his side.

Sunday's coup was a dramatic setback for Guinea, where many had hoped the country had turned the page on military power grabs.

Conde’s 2010 election victory — the country’s first democratic vote ever — was supposed to be a fresh start after decades of corrupt, authoritarian rule and political turmoil. In the years since, though, opponents say Conde, too, failed to improve the lives of Guineans, most of whom live in poverty despite the country’s vast mineral riches of bauxite and gold.

The year after Conde's first election, he narrowly survived an assassination attempt when gunmen surrounded his home overnight and pounded his bedroom with rockets. Rocket-propelled grenades landed inside the compound and one of his bodyguards was killed.

Violent street demonstrations broke out last year after Conde organized a referendum to modify the constitution. The unrest intensified after he won the October election, and the opposition said dozens were killed during the crisis.

In neighboring Senegal, which has a large diaspora of Guineans who opposed Conde, news of his political demise was met with relief.

"President Alpha Conde deserves to be deposed. He stubbornly tried to run for a third term when he had no right to do so, " said Malick Diallo, a young Guinean shopkeeper in the suburbs of Dakar.

"We know that a coup d’etat is not good," said Mamadou Saliou Diallo, another Guinean living in Senegal. "A president must be elected by a democratic vote. But we have no choice. We have a president who is too old, who no longer makes Guineans dream and who does not want to leave power. "

Guinea has had a long history of political instability. In 1984, Lansana Conte took control of the country after the first post-independence leader died. He remained in power for a quarter-century until his death in 2008 and was accused of siphoning off state coffers to enrich his family and friends.

The country’s second coup soon followed, putting army Capt. Moussa "Dadis" Camara in charge. During his rule, security forces opened fire on demonstrators at a stadium in Conakry who were protesting his plans to run for president. Human rights groups have said more than 150 people were killed and at least 100 women were raped. Camara later went into exile after surviving an assassination attempt, and a transitional government organized the landmark 2010 election won by Conde.

Guinea's new military leaders sought to tighten their grip on power Monday after overthrowing President Alpha Conde, ordering the soldiers from his presidential guard to join the junta forces and barring government officials from leaving the country.

Guinea's new military leaders sought to tighten their grip on power Monday after overthrowing President Alpha Conde, ordering the soldiers from his presidential guard to join the junta forces and barring government officials from leaving the country. After putting the West African nation back under military rule for the first time in over a decade, the junta already had dissolved the National Assembly and the country's constitution. On Monday, regional military commanders replaced Guinea's governors. Junta leader Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya said the military regime would not pursue vendettas against political enemies, though he also told officials from Conde's deposed government to turn over their passports. "There will be no spirit of hatred or revenge. There will be no witch hunt, " said Doumbouya, who had led the Guinean army's special forces unit before seizing power Sunday. "But justice will be the compass that will guide every Guinean citizen." "For former members of the government, travel outside our borders will not be allowed during the transition," he said during the brief speech. "All your travel documents and vehicles must be handed over to the general secretaries of your former departments." The military junta has refused to issue a timeline for releasing Conde, saying the 83-year-old deposed leader still had access to medical care and his doctors. The West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS, though, called for his immediate release and threatened to impose sanctions if the demand was not met. Conde's removal by force Sunday came after the president sought and won a controversial third term in office last year, saying the term limits did not apply to him. While the political opposition and the junta both sought his ouster, it remained unclear Monday how united the two would be going forward. It also was unknown how much support the junta leader had within the larger military. As the commander of the army's special forces unit, he directed elite soldiers, but it was still possible that others who remained loyal to the ousted president could mount a countercoup in the coming hours or days. In announcing the coup on state television, Doumbouya cast himself as a patriot of Guinea, which he said had failed to progress economically since gaining independence from France decades earlier. Observers, though, say the tensions between Guinea’s president and the army colonel stem from a recent proposal to cut some military salaries. "We will no longer entrust politics to one man. We will entrust it to the people, " he said, draped in a Guinean flag with about a half dozen other soldiers flanking him at his side. Sunday's coup was a dramatic setback for Guinea, where many had hoped the country had turned the page on military power grabs. Conde’s 2010 election victory — the country’s first democratic vote ever — was supposed to be a fresh start after decades of corrupt, authoritarian rule and political turmoil. In the years since, though, opponents say Conde, too, failed to improve the lives of Guineans, most of whom live in poverty despite the country’s vast mineral riches of bauxite and gold. The year after Conde's first election, he narrowly survived an assassination attempt when gunmen surrounded his home overnight and pounded his bedroom with rockets. Rocket-propelled grenades landed inside the compound and one of his bodyguards was killed. Violent street demonstrations broke out last year after Conde organized a referendum to modify the constitution. The unrest intensified after he won the October election, and the opposition said dozens were killed during the crisis. In neighboring Senegal, which has a large diaspora of Guineans who opposed Conde, news of his political demise was met with relief. "President Alpha Conde deserves to be deposed. He stubbornly tried to run for a third term when he had no right to do so, " said Malick Diallo, a young Guinean shopkeeper in the suburbs of Dakar. "We know that a coup d’etat is not good," said Mamadou Saliou Diallo, another Guinean living in Senegal. "A president must be elected by a democratic vote. But we have no choice. We have a president who is too old, who no longer makes Guineans dream and who does not want to leave power. " Guinea has had a long history of political instability. In 1984, Lansana Conte took control of the country after the first post-independence leader died. He remained in power for a quarter-century until his death in 2008 and was accused of siphoning off state coffers to enrich his family and friends. The country’s second coup soon followed, putting army Capt. Moussa "Dadis" Camara in charge. During his rule, security forces opened fire on demonstrators at a stadium in Conakry who were protesting his plans to run for president. Human rights groups have said more than 150 people were killed and at least 100 women were raped. Camara later went into exile after surviving an assassination attempt, and a transitional government organized the landmark 2010 election won by Conde.

Guinea's new junta leaders seek to tighten their grip on power

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