West African mediators head to Burkina Faso following coup

Soldiers loyal to Capt Ibrahim Traore walk in the streets of Ouagadougou (AP)

Regional mediators are heading to Burkina Faso in the wake of the West African country’s second coup this year, amid concern the latest power grab could further postpone elections and deepen the region’s Islamic extremist violence.

News that the delegation from the regional bloc known as Ecowas is travelling to the capital, Ouagadougou, came after diplomats confirmed that ex-premier Lt Col Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba had left for the neighbouring nation of Togo following talks mediated by religious leaders.