Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011 at 5:50 pm UTC
VOA News
Burkina Faso military officials say soldiers were responsible for sustained gunfire heard in the capital, Ouagadougou.
Residents reported hearing gunshots for at least three hours beginning Tuesday night leading into Wednesday. The gunfire could be heard coming from two military camps, one inside the city and another in a suburb.
Residents reported that some shops were looted during the incident.
Authorities say the soldiers fired into the air to protest the sentences handed down to five fellow soldiers convicted of beating a civilian. Officials say the protesting soldiers felt the sentences, which ranged up to 18 months in prison, were too harsh.
Government officials said Wednesday that calm has been restored in the capital and that an investigation into the shooting will be conducted.
Burkina Faso is one of west Africa's most stable countries, though students held violent protests last month following the death of a student in police custody.
President Blaise Compaore has ruled the country since seizing power in a 1987 coup.
Residents reported hearing gunshots for at least three hours beginning Tuesday night leading into Wednesday. The gunfire could be heard coming from two military camps, one inside the city and another in a suburb.
Residents reported that some shops were looted during the incident.
Authorities say the soldiers fired into the air to protest the sentences handed down to five fellow soldiers convicted of beating a civilian. Officials say the protesting soldiers felt the sentences, which ranged up to 18 months in prison, were too harsh.
Government officials said Wednesday that calm has been restored in the capital and that an investigation into the shooting will be conducted.
Burkina Faso is one of west Africa's most stable countries, though students held violent protests last month following the death of a student in police custody.
President Blaise Compaore has ruled the country since seizing power in a 1987 coup.
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