Burkina Faso coup leader defies ultimatum

Burkina Faso’s coup leader has defied an ultimatum to step down, saying his forces will retaliate if attacked. Army chiefs had given Gen Gilbert Diendere a 10:00 GMT deadline to surrender or face an assault. The army has ordered anti-coup protesters in the capital, Ouagadougou, to return home, amid fears of fighting. Gen Diendere seized […]

Burkina Faso’s coup leader has defied an ultimatum to step down, saying his forces will retaliate if attacked.
Army chiefs had given Gen Gilbert Diendere a 10:00 GMT deadline to surrender or face an assault.
The army has ordered anti-coup protesters in the capital, Ouagadougou, to return home, amid fears of fighting.
Gen Diendere seized power last week with the backing of the presidential guard, but the army has remained loyal to the deposed government.
Its troops have entered the capital, vowing to retake it. The European Union (EU) has called on the presidential guard to immediately lay down their weapons to avoid bloodshed.
Army chief of staff Pingrenoma Zagre told France 24 news channel that he was in contact with Gen Diendere, and wanted to avoid conflict.
He added that he was awaiting “instructions” from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) regional body, which had put together a peace plan for the former French colony.
Regional leaders are holding crisis talks in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, to discuss it.
At least 10 people have been killed and more than 100 injured since the coup in clashes between the presidential guard and protesters.
Fear are growing in Ouagadougou that fighting could erupt between the army and presidential guard.