Gunfire was reported in the Burkino Faso capital of Ouagadougou late last night, apparently from military personnel stationed close to the presidential palace.
Reports say head of state Blaise Compaoré has left the presidential palace but his whereabouts are not known. According to sources, the gunshots came from disgruntled members of the presidential guard demanding allowances owed to them. The presidential guards were then joined by other military officers.
RFI reports that the mutineering soldiers left the presidential palace early this morning firing shots in the air on the streets of Ouagadougou. The agency also reported on several cases of looting in the centre of the capital. According to military sources, the residence of the president's military chief of staff has been burnt down by the soldiers.
Some sources believe Compaoré is seeking refuge somewhere in the centre of the capital, while others report he moved to the old presidential palace also situated in the centre of Ouagadougou. Yet others say he is in his private residence close to where the shots were being fired.
Compaoré came to power through a military coup 23 years ago in which the then-president, Thomas Sankara, was killed. He later opened the country to multiparty politics and has been elected four times - the latest being in November where Compaoré won 80 percent of the vote.
Translated and compiled by Michael Tantoh.
