France has condemned the military coup in Burkina Faso and urged its residents in the country to stay indoors.
The former colonial power called for the release of those arrested, and for the return to government of interim authorities.
“(President François Hollande) calls for the immediate liberation of all those arrested, for the interim authorities to be put back in place and for the continuation of the electoral process,” the French leader’s office said in a statement.
Contrasting claims of leadership
Moumina Cheriff Sy, the head of the
West African country’s transitional parliament, echoed the call and announced he would assume leadership until President Michel Kafando was freed. He asked the military to take “all measures” to stop the takeover.
However, coup leaders have named the Presidential Guard’s General Diendere the new head of the transitional council.
“The patriotic and democratic forces bringing together all the components of the nation under the Nationa
