Burkina coup leader backs down, to hand over power

Gilbert Diendere, a general and leader of the recent coup in Burkina Faso, has backed down on his hold to power.

Apologising to the nation, Diendere promised to stick to the proposal of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for smooth transition.

“We confirm our commitment to return power to the civilian transition authorities following implementation of the agreement proposed by ECOWAS,” the general said in a statement read on state television.

The statement comes after the army advanced to the country’s capital to peacefully or forcibly disarm presidential guard members led by Diendere.

According to Al Jazeera, the heads of the country’s military said troops would be converging on the capital of Ouagadougou to try to disarm the coup government without bloodshed.

“All the national armed forces are converging on [capital] Ouagadougou with the sole aim of disarming the presidential guard without any bloodshed,” the military statement read.

Several people have been killed and dozens injured across the country during demonstrations that followed the coup.

Earlier on Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari said he would be hosting ECOWAS leaders to discuss the political crisis in Burkina Faso.

The country was due to go to the polls on October 11, a plan that may be adjusted to fit new realities.