September 17, 2015

UN chief calls for immediate release of detained leaders of Burkina Faso

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Thursday 17 Sep 2015 - 10:10 Makkah mean time-4-12-1436

Photo: UN News Center

New York (IINA) – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon voiced outrage at reports that President Michel Kafando of Burkina Faso, Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac Zida and several ministers have been detained by soldiers from the presidential guard.
“The Secretary General calls for their immediate release. This incident is a flagrant violation of Burkina Faso's Constitution and Transitional Charter,” said a statement issued by Ban’s spokesperson, in the wake of Wednesday’s developments in the capital Ouagadougou.
“The United Nations stands firmly behind the transitional authorities and President Kafando. The Secretary-General notes the strong support of the people of Burkina Faso for a peaceful transition and urges compliance with the transitional calendar, including the upcoming elections,” read the statement.
According to media report, the country’s leaders were detained by guards supporting former President Blaise Compaoré during a cabinet meeting at the presidential palace. This comes two days after a commission reportedly recommended the disbanding of the presidential guard.
Secretary-General’s Special Representative for West Africa Mohamed Ibn Chambas is presently in Ouagadougou and working closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) and other international partners to support and safeguard the transition in Burkina Faso.
Following massive demonstrations and violence in Ouagadougou in early November 2014, Compaoré announced his resignation, ending his 27-year rule, and handed power over to the military. By the end of the month, the country officially marked the transfer of power to Kafando, as the transitional president. A 26-member transitional government was subsequently appointed.
AB/IINA

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