New coup attempt in Africa

The military junta in the West African country of Burkina Faso announced yesterday that an attempted coup in the country had been prevented.

The administration claimed that the intelligence service prevented groups preparing for a coup, but did not provide details. The statement said: “The dark efforts of some officials and their collaborators to attack the institutions of the Republic and drag the country into chaos were prevented.”

It was also noted that some people were detained and homes were searched.

Demonstrations in support of the military government were held on Monday in the capital, Ouagadougou, after a French magazine was closed in the country for its report that “the people are disturbed by the government.”

In Burkina Faso, where conflicts with Al Qaeda and radical Islamist groups have recently intensified, the military junta came to power after two coups last year.