The interim government of Burkina Faso on Oct. 1 apprehended the leader of the week-long military coup in September, announcing that he will face military justice. Gilbert Diendere [5] was a general in the national army and the alleged leader of the the group known as the Presidential Security Regiment [6] (RSP). Diendere is associated with another two other coups in the West-African nation, one in 1987 [7] that retains significance for the ideology of the RSP. The 1987 coup marked the start of the 27-year rule of Blaise Compaore [8]. Diendere was Compaore's former chief of staff. The first meeting of the reinstated interim government of Burkina Faso disbanded the RSP and dismissed the ex-minister of security. RSP forces are refusing to disarm [9]. The RSP is incentivized by a recent modification to the electoral code that banned former members of the ruling party [10] from running for political office. The interim government submitted a proposal before the Economic Community of West African States [11] (ECOWAS) in Nigeria 10 days ago. ECOWAS is working with the UN to stabilize the transition government [12] before elections on October 11.
From Jurist [13], Oct. 3. Used with permission.
