A day after soldiers mutinied in Burkina Faso and detained President Roch Kabore, the military says it has seized power, suspended the constitution, and ousted the president.
A group of soldiers have appeared on State TV to announce this.
Earlier on Monday, the West African sub-regional bloc, ECOWAS condemned any moves to remove civilian elected leadership and said the military will be held responsible for the physical wellbeing of President Roch Kabore.
In a three- paragraph statement, ECCOWAS said it is following developments in the landlocked country, since Sunday’s shootings in military barracks across the capital, Ouagadougou.
The President has still not been seen or heard from since he is said to have tweeted congratulations to the national football team which last night qualified for the quarter finals of the ongoing African Cup of Nations.
Also Read: ECOWAS condemns coup attempt in Burkina Faso
His bullet- ridden armoured vehicle has been seen parked in a street in the capital.
There were protests in support of the soldiers at the main square of the capital city on Sunday, but uneasy calm reigns.
The military has been struggling to contain islamists attacks in the country for months now, and the lower ranks have been complaining of poor welfare and inadequate weaponry.
Burkina Faso now joins neighbouring Mali and Guinea where military junta are in charge in West Africa.
( Editor, Omor Bazuaye)