A captain in the Burkinabe army declares the overthrow of the military regime.

In a statement delivered on national television on Friday, September 30, a captain in the Burkinabe army declared the removal of military ruler Paul-Henri Damiba and the suspension of the nation's constitution and transitional charter.

According to Army Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Damiba was fired because he was unable to handle the growing Islamist insurgency.

He said that all political and civil society activities had been suspended and that Burkina Faso's borders were shut indefinitely.

Just before 8 o'clock local time, about 15 soldiers wearing fatigues appeared on the radio-television station and read the message.

In order to restore the security and integrity of our territory, they declared, "We have resolved to accept our duties."

Sophie Lamotte of FRANCE 24 reported from the capital Ouagadougou shortly after the takeover announcement and said a curfew had been imposed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. local time.

"There is a very strong military presence in the capital, particularly surrounding the presidential palace and the telecommunication headquarters," she said. "The streets are very calm."

Earlier on Friday, there were reports of shooting in Ouagadougou, and the public television was forced to shut down due to coup fears. At the main intersection of the city, particularly in the neighborhood of Ouaga 2000, soldiers were visible, as well as in front of the state television facility.