Burkina Faso’s President, Kafando & PM, Zida Locked Up By Guards

Burkina Faso’s interim President, Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Isaac Zida have been detained by guards supporting the erstwhile President, Blaise Compaore.  They were detained at the presidential palace.

They were “taken hostage” by the presidential guard (RSP), Reuters quoted the head of the transitional parliament as saying.

Mr Kafando and Lt Col Zida had been tasked with organising fresh presidential elections next month. The head of parliament, Moumina Cheriff Sy, said in a statement that military chiefs were trying to negotiate the detained officials’ release.

Mr Compaore was deposed after violent mass protests in October 2014.