Ibrahim Traore cited Lt Col Damiba’s inability to deal with an Islamist insurgency as the reason. He also announced that borders were closed indefinitely and all political activities were suspended. Lt Col Damiba’s junta overthrew an elected government in January, citing a failure to halt Islamist attacks. But his administration has also not been able to quell the jihadist violence. …

At least 11 alleged terrorists were killed and one was caught during an army operation from Tuesday to Wednesday in the north-east of Burkina Faso, a statement from the Burkina Faso armed forces said. The operation was carried out in the localities of Tasmakat, Bidy, and Fourkoussou as well as in the Bangao forest, Oudalan province in the Sahel region …