TheCable

Two days after guards detained him at the presidential palace, President Michel Kafando of the interim government in Burkina Faso, has regained freedom.

According to Reuters, the coup leaders, who dissolved the transitional government on Thursday, announced this in a statement issued on Friday.

Kafando and Prime Minister Isaac Zida have been in detention since guards loyal to former president, Blaise Compaore prevented from leaving office after a cabinet meeting.

But Gilbert Diendere, head of the country’s new ruling council, told VOA on Thursday that the president and prime minister were safe and will “soon be released”.

On Friday, Diendere said Kafando had been freed and is now in his official residence.

Two other ministers detained with the president and prime minister are also said to have been released but Zida remains under house arrest.

Zida, who was the second-in-command, in the presidential guard, took charge after Compaore was ousted.

The new developments in the country have led to clashes between protesters and soldiers, resulting into the deaths of three persons and injuries of 60 as at Friday morning.

Burkina Faso was supposed to have elections next month.