DW News published this video item, entitled “Burkina Faso denies coup after heavy gunfire in barracks | DW News” – below is their description.
The government of Burkina Faso has called for calm after mutinying soldiers demanded more support for their fight against Islamist militants and the resignation of military leaders.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in the capital Ouagadougou to show their support for the mutineers. Some burned and looted the headquarters of President Roch Kabore’s political party. Heavy gunfire rang out from several military barracks. The unrest comes amid growing frustration with the government’s handling of the Islamist insurgency.
DW News YouTube Channel
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In This Story: Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa that covers an area of around 274,200 square kilometres (105,900 sq mi) and is bordered by Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Ivory Coast.
The July 2019 population estimate by the United Nations was 20,321,378. Previously called Republic of Upper Volta (1958–1984), it was renamed “Burkina Faso” on 4 August 1984 by President Thomas Sankara. Its citizens are known as Burkinabé, and its capital is Ouagadougou.
Due to French colonialism, the country’s official language of government and business is French, but this language is spoken by approximately only 10-15% of the population. There are 59 native languages spoken in Burkina, with the most common language, Moore, spoken by roughly 50% of Burkinabé.
The Republic of Upper Volta was established on 11 December 1958 as a self-governing colony within the French Community and on 5 August 1960 it gained full independence.