Yacouba Isaac Zida

The leader of a short-lived coup in Burkina Faso, General Gilbert Diendere, was handed over to authorities on Oct.1 after seeking refuge in the Vatican embassy, sources in the transitional government said on Oct.1. 

Coup leaders in Burkina Faso announced on Sept.18 they had released the country's interim president Michel Kafando whom they had detained along with the premier and two ministers.

Ankara has voiced ?concern? over a military coup in Burkina Faso, saying it ?rejected interventions in politics? through methods that are not democratic.

Burkina Faso?s military said on Sept.16 it had stripped interim President Michel Kafando of his functions and dissolved the government, seizing power in a coup less than a month before elections meant to restore democracy in the West African country. 

Authorities in Burkina Faso named former foreign minister Michel Kafando as transitional president on Nov. 17 in a key step towards returning the West African country to democracy in the wake of a brief military takeover.
   

Burkina Faso prepared for another day of mass protest Nov. 2 as opposition and civil society leaders challenged moves by the military to step into the power vacuum left by the ouster of president Blaise Compaore.