Coup in Burkina Faso as military dissolves interim government

Bukina faso military has taken over the government of the country in a coup that occurred last night. The Burkina Faso military in a TV broadcast today said it had stripped interim President Michel Kafando of his functions and dissolved the government. This coup comes less than a month before elections meant to restore democracy in the West African country. Burkina Faso was plunged into chaos yesterday night when the elite Republican Guard, a pillar of long-time former President Blaise Compaore's regime, seized President Kafando, Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac Zida, and two ministers. The powerful presidential guard has repeatedly meddled in politics since Compaore was toppled in a popular uprising in October last year.

"The patriotic forces, grouped together in the National Council for Democracy, have decided today to put an end to the deviant transitional regime," a military official said on RTB state television.