Violence erupts inside hotel as protesters await outcome of coup talks

Violence broke out at the main hotel in Burkina Faso’s capital where talks were taking place in the wake of last week’s military coup. Dozens of supporters of the coup chanted slogans and wrecked furniture as they stormed the venue in Ouagadougou. Outside, another group of protesters gathered to vent their anger at the coup and the leader installed by the military, Gen Gilbert Diendere. "No to Diendere! No to military rule!“ some shouted. An announcement had been expected from the talks by mediators who promised "good news” the day before.

What we want is for Diendere to stay and organise elections quickly like he promised. We are killing each other in the neighbourhood and the country because of exclusion, we need inclusive elections

Gen Diendere supporter

Tensions have been high since members of an elite presidential guard arrested the country’s interim president and prime minister on Wednesday, less than a month before national elections were due to be held. Hours later, a lieutenant colonel took to the airwaves to say that the transitional government had been dissolved. At least 10 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in the crackdown on anti-coup demonstrations in recent days. The coup has been condemned by the US and France, and the African Union suspended Burkina Faso.

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