Burkina Faso hotel siege declared over

A siege is over at a Burkina Faso hotel seized by suspected Islamist gunmen, the government announced, but reports said a nearby hotel is now under attack.

In all, 126 hostages were freed at the Splendid Hotel in the West African state’s capital, Ouagadougou, the interior minister said.

Three gunmen were killed, he added, amid reports of 20 deaths during the attack, which also targeted a cafe.

French Special Forces are helping local troops in the security operation, the BBC reports.

French President Francois Hollande has condemned the “odious” attack on the former French colony.

The Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) group said it carried out the attack.

In November, an AQIM attack on a hotel in the Malian capital Bamako left 19 people dead.

Burkina Faso hotel siege declared over

Two Austrians kidnapped in Burkina Faso

Two Austrian citizens, a doctor and his wife, were kidnapped overnight in northern Burkina Faso near the border with Mali, the West African nation’s security ministry said on Saturday.

The kidnapping occurred in the Baraboule area, the ministry said in a message sent to journalists.

Reuters said it was not immediately clear whether the abduction was linked to an attack carried out by al Qaeda fighters in a hotel in the country’s capital late on Friday.

 

Two Austrians kidnapped in Burkina Faso

Home-based Super Eagles beat Burkina Faso

The Home-based Super Eagles  defeated Burkina Faso 2-0 in Saturday’s African Nations Championship final round qualifier, first leg played at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium, Port Harcourt

Goals from Bature Yaro and Gbolahan Salami were all the Eagles needed to breeze the visitors aside towards ensuring qualification for the competition billed for Rwanda in 2016.

The home team dominated proceedings right from kick off and almost got the lead after Ezekiel Bassey flicked a cross to Tunde Adeniji who missed by narrowly.

Yaro had his first chance at goal in the 21st minute after finding space in the Stallions backline but his efforts yielded no positive result at it was saved by the goalkeeper.

Three minutes later, he made amends for his earlier miss by scoring from close range.

Nigeria could have doubled the lead 11 minutes later but Osas’ shot kissed the cross bar after Ifeanyi Mathew’s initial chance had been saved.

In the second half, both teams attacked endlessly in search of goals – the visitors came close twice but Kalu Orji was at his best to clear his defence line.

In the 63rd minute, Chisom Chikatara missed a sitter after exchanging a one on one pass with Salami.

With less than 18 minutes to go, Bassey was fouled in the Burkinabe’s goal area, with Salami converted the spot kick.

A draw for Nigeria in the second leg will hand the Super Eagles a ticket to make their second appearance in the history of the competition.

Home-based Super Eagles beat Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso dump Keshi, appoint Rohr as coach

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Burkina Faso have appointed Germany’s Gernot Rohr as their new coach after their Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) disappointment, their Football Federation (FBF) confirmed on Wednesday.

The 61-year-old replaces Belgian Paul Put who left by mutual agreement after their first-round elimination in Equatorial Guinea last month.

Put led the side to the 2013 CAN final in South Africa where they were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Nigeria.

The duration of Rohr’s contract was not revealed although it was confirmed he will also coach the Burkina Faso Olympic team.

He played for 17 seasons as a defender, including spells with Bayern Munich and Bordeaux, before moving into coaching in 1990.

Rohr led Bordeaux to the 1996 UEFA Cup final, where they were beaten by Bayern, and also coached at Nice, Young Boys, Ajaccio, Nantes and Tunisian side Etoile Sahel before his first national job at the helm of Gabon between 2010 and 2012.

His most recent posting was as coach of Niger between 2012 and 2014.

 

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Burkina Faso dump Keshi, appoint Rohr as coach

Civilian to head one-year transition in Burkina Faso

Three West African Presidents brokered an agreement on a one-year political transition in Burkina Faso leading up to elections in Nov. 2015, local media reported on Thursday.According to the agreement, the military would hand power over to an eminent civilian personality to lead the transition.

The reports said political parties and civil society groups would be able to propose candidates for the post.

Senegal’s President Macky Sall, Nigeria’s Goodluck Jonathan and Ghana’s John Mahama arrived on Wednesday in Ouagadougou.

It said that they met new military leader Isaac Zida, diplomats, representatives of political parties and civil society as well as religious and traditional leaders.

Zida took power after Compaore resigned on Friday, following massive demonstrations demanding an end to his 27-year rule.

“Burkina Faso should overcome the pain as quickly as possible, so that all parts of society can participate in decisions making it possible to create a stable democracy,’’ Mahama said.

 

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Civilian to head one-year transition in Burkina Faso