Burkina Faso coup leader Gen. Gilbert Diendere announced on Monday that the country's presidential guards will hand over power to the interim government. He also apologized to the nation.
Diendere's announcement came hours after the country's military threatened to disarm the presidential guard, reported Associated Press. Army troops reportedly entered the capital, Ouagdougua, on Monday night.
"The regular armed forces were seeking the surrender of the presidential guard, known as the RSP, without bloodshed. We ask them to immediately lay down their arms and go to Camp Sangoule Lamizana," Burkina Faso's armed forces said in a joint statement, according to ABC.
Mediators from member countries of West African block ECOWAS proposed a draft agreement on Sunday, as HNGN reported previously. The draft agreement proposed fresh presidential and parliamentary elections for Nov. 22 and said the candidates loyal to ousted President Blaise Compare would be allowed to contest in November elections.
A military coup overthrew the interim government last week in Burkina Faso and placed interim President Michel Kafando, his Prime Minister and several ministers under detention. The coup came nearly a month before scheduled Oct. 11 election in the country.
Kafando has taken refuge at the residence of French ambassador in Ouagdougua. "I confirm, with the authorization of President Kafando, he is indeed in the French residence," Ambassador Gilles Thibault wrote on his Twitter account, according to France 24.
The United States State Department on Monday issued a travel advisory, warning its citizens of the risks of travel to Burkina Faso.
"The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Burkina Faso and recommends that U.S. citizens currently in Burkina Faso depart as soon as it is feasible to do so," the department said in the Burkina Faso travel warning.
