Gunfire in Burkina Faso capital sparks coup fears

President of Burkina Faso Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba (AP)

Gunfire rang out early on Friday in Burkina Faso’s capital and the state broadcaster went off air, sparking fears that another coup attempt may be under way, nine months after the democratically elected president was ousted from power.

It was not immediately known where previous coup leader-turned president Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba was in the west African country. He gave a speech on Thursday in Djibo, in the north of Burkina Faso.