The leader of Burkina Faso’s short-lived coup d’état, General Gilbert Diendere has taken refuge in a Vatican nunciature on Wednesday, just as the army launched an offensive against men of his presidential guard on Tuesday.
A nunciature is the Vatican City’s equivalent of an embassy or a diplomatic mission to another country.
The presidential guard led by Diendere had staged a coup on September 16 in which the Interim President, Michel Kafando; Prime Minister Isaac Yacouba Zida; and other important ministers of the caretaker government were detained.
They were forced to back down however after intense pressure from ECOWAS, the country’s Army and thousands of protesters on the streets.
Peace negotiations were said to be underway which was expected to secure a soft landing for the men of the presidential guard on the condition that they lay down their weapons.
They were said to have refused to surrender which led to the army opening fire on them in the capital on Tuesday.
Diendere has revealed that he will welcome negotiations aimed at securing a lasting peace in the troubled West African nation.
According to the Associated Press, Diendere revealed his decision to surrender himself to authorities.
“I am willing to turn myself over to face justice. I would like the people of Burkina Faso to find a solution to this crisis through dialogue. All parties must talk to find an inclusive solution for the future of the country,” he said.