Rapper and activist Serge Bambara, alias Smockey, was one of the first to condemn the September 16 coup by Burkina Faso's presidential guard (RSP). He is leader of civil society group Le Balais citoyen ("Sweep it out") and was also in the frontline of October 2014 demonstrations that pushed long-time former president Blaise Compaoré to leave office. Smockey slams the idea of an amnesty for the coup leaders in exchange for a return to the transition process, as put forward in a draft crisis proposal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in an emergency meeting in Abuja.
As everyone awaits the outcome of that meeting, Smockey spoke to JusticeInfo.Net. In the capital Ouagadougou, the regular army and elements of the RSP were holding their positions, without clashing so far. People have been advised to stay at home. Clashes between civil society demonstrators and the RSP have so far left about a dozen people dead and 100 injured since the beginning of the crisis.
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