Burkina Faso military announces coup, arrest of president and prime minister

Peter Weber, The Week US's avatar
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There was a coup in Burkina Faso
(Image credit: Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images)

On Thursday, Burkina Faso's military said that it is in control of the African nation, after dissolving the transitional government and arresting the prime minister and president. The country, managed by the interim government since longtime leader Blaise Compaore stepped down under pressure last October, was set to hold elections on Oct. 11.

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Peter Weber, The Week US
Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.