Burkina Faso remembers coup victims

A woman walks past a wall with graffiti reading "Justice for the economic crimes" in Ouagadougou on October 1, 2015. By Sia Kambou (AFP/File)

Ouagadougou (AFP) - Burkina Faso President Michel Kafando joined a gathering of up to 3,000 people Friday to remember victims of a short-lived September 17 coup which left 14 dead and 251 injured.

The multi-faith memorial gathering, witnessed by an AFP reporter, saw ten coffins draped in the Burkinabe flag laid out in Ouagadougou's central Place de la Nation square, renamed Revolution Square following the fall 12 months ago of ousted president Blaise Compaore.

The failed bid to overthrow the transitional government by members of the presidential guard (RSP) still loyal to Compaore left the country on the edge of chaos for six days before collapsing with its leaders admitting they did not enjoy popular support.

Relatives had already buried three dead prior to the ceremony while a putschist RSP soldier killed by pro-government troops outside Ouagadougou "will be buried later at a military ceremony," an army source said.

As the west African country declared three days of mourning, territorial administration minister, Issouf Ouattara, praised the "valiant sons and daughters fallen on the battlefield so that our country may regain freedom, dignity, peace and democracy."

A spokesman for the families of those killed, Patrice Bazie, demanded justice for the people responsible.

"The greatest homage one can accord these martyrs is to give them justice, justice and justice," Bazie said to applause as he called for the perpetrators of the unrest to be punished.

Prime Minister Isaac Zida, former number two in the RSP and who was briefly held hostage by the putschists led by General Gilbert Diendere, said that "the government has already begun working to ensure justice is done" on the victims' behalf.

As well as Diendere, former Compaore era foreign minister Djibrill Bassole has been detained and charged with murder and attacking state security. Around 20 others are also under arrest.