Burkina Faso Junta Leader Diendere Promises Swift Elections

In the wake of the political turmoil in Burkina Faso, junta leader General Gilbert Diendere, has promised to hold elections soon, but refused to give a specific date. Diendere, who was chief millitary adviser to ousted president, Blaise Compaore said he had had no contact with Compaore and claimed he was backed by the country's powerful army. He claims the coup was triggered by a proposal made by the transitional authorities to dismantle the presidential guard.
He said the military took over for fear of instability after the transitional government barred Compaore's supporters from contesting the polls next month. No fewer than three people have been killed and more than 60 injured,in Burkina Faso, when members of the presidential guard fired warning shots to disperse protesters. They also used batons to beat the demonstrators. They were demanding for the release of the interim president and members of his government detained by the presidential guard on Wednesday. The junta leader says he plans to discuss with the political parties and civil society organisations to establish a timetable that would allow them move towards the presidential and parliamentary elections. Meanwhile, international organisations,have shown their displeasure at the political situation in the county. A joint statement by the UN, AU and ECOWAS called for the detained political leaders to be released with immediate effect. The United States has also voiced its condemnation of the coup and has called for an immediate end to the conflict. Diendere has promised to release the president and the premier at the "right time".