UPDATE 9/23/15: Burkina Faso’s interim president has been formally reinstated. The presidential guard, who organized last week’s coup, pledged to return to barracks, and the army agreed to withdraw from the capital.
“This has been a wonderful day for us in Burkina,” an Alliance worker reported. “The Lord has really worked a miracle.” Bobo-Dioulasso, the city where she and her family live, is almost completely back to normal with the market and many stores open.
“We have been hosting colleagues here for lunch followed by a time of worship and prayer for the country. Today was all praise and thanksgiving,” she said. “Afterward, one of the MKs said, ‘Do you mean we won’t be coming for lunch anymore and singing each day?’ How wonderful that this was not a time of fear or misery, but one of fellowship and of sharing the burden.”
Thank you, Alliance family, for praying for Burkina Faso during this turbulent time.
UPDATE 9/22/15: In its effort to retake the capital, Burkina Faso’s military gave the presidential guard, who overthrew the country’s government last week, a deadline to lay down its arms. But the latest news is the coup’s leader resisted, saying his forces will retaliate if attacked.
The U.S. Embassy has posted a message encouraging U.S. citizens to leave Burkina, according to Al Stombaugh, Africa regional director; however, this is causing confusion since the airports are closed, and “this is probably the worst time to be moving around.”
So at this time, Alliance teams are laying low in the country and ask for all to pray for the Lord’s will to be done and for protection. Since the takeover, at least 10 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in protests.
According to BBC, regional leaders are holding crisis talks in Nigeria to discuss a peace plan for Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso Military on the Move
UPDATE 9/21/15: Burkina Faso’s military is converging on the capital city, Ouagadougou, with the hope to disarm the presidential guard that forced transitional President Michel Kafando from office last Thursday. The coup was led by allies of former President Blaise Compaore.
Al Stombaugh, Africa regional director, said, “This could go peacefully if the presidential guard lays down their arms or terribly if they do not.”
Other Alliance workers have shared the following updates and prayer requests about the situation:
“An Alliance international worker called a little while ago to give us an update. . . . As she and I hung up, we began to hear motos and vehicles honking on the street outside. They are accompanying a huge military convoy out of town en route to Ouaga. The honking has continued for the past 45 minutes or so and continues as I write. A colleague reported, ‘I have never seen anything like it.’ The military in Fada and other towns are also being mobilized; the masses are celebrating! Since negotiation has failed, the people are ready to fight. Please pray that loss of life would be minimal and that the RSP [presidential guard] would lay down their arms before the conflict begins.” —Bobo team leader
“We are fine. Although demonstrations have been taking place in various parts of Ouaga, our neighborhood has remained mostly quiet. Had one morning of lots of noise—firecrackers and distant gunfire. The soldiers have kept the people in Ouaga from gathering in large groups, but other cities throughout the country have had open demonstrations with huge crowds protesting the coup. . . . Pray that God will bring His peace to the hearts of the people here.” —International worker
Pray
“Pray for this to be peaceful and for the military to indeed remain on the side of the people in all this . . . Pray for God to have His way in this country, and pray for godly leaders—now and once the elections are over! Pray that His Church in Burkina will be persistent in joining the battle on their knees.” —An Envision worker (Burkina Faso)