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Burkina Faso: Soldiers ‘want to replace intelligence and military hierarchy’

Shots have been heard near the presidential palace in Burkina Faso's capital amid a mutiny by soldiers.

Gunfire has also been heard at several barracks in Ouagadougou, with soldiers demanding the sacking of military chiefs, and more resources to fight militant Islamists.

Hundreds of people came out in support of the troops, forcing authorities to introduce a night time curfew.

The government said the crisis had been contained and dismissed rumours of a new coup attempt, just over a week after 11 soldiers were detained for allegedly plotting a coup.

Sam Mednick is a journalist who works for the Associated Press in Ouagadougou. She's been inside one of the army bases and has been speaking to soldiers involved in the mutiny.

(Picture: People gather after heavy gunfire was heard in army barracks in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso January 23, 2022. Credit: REUTERS/ Thiam Ndiaga)

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3 minutes