State television in Burkina Faso announced that a former bodyguard of President Blaise Compaore was killed in an exchange of fire while trying to enter the barracks that house the presidential palace.
Magistrate Blaise Bazie said in a statement Saturday that the soldier named Romuald Tuina forced his way on Friday night past guards at one checkpoint before attacking the Nabakom II military camp, which houses the presidential guard.
Residents of Ouagadougou say that the attack coincided with a citywide power cut, which plunged the capital into darkness at around 10.m. Friday. Soon after, they heard gunfire.
Tuina was sacked from the presidential guard last year.
Compaore, in power since 1987, has been facing growing unrest. In 2011, the army mutinied against him, but he succeeded in reigning it in.
