Burkina Faso: the junta responds to ECOWAS on the transition and the case of President Kaboré
Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba, who led the military coup in Burkina Faso in January, arrives to be sworn in as transitional president, March 2, 2022. REUTERS - ANNE MIMAULT
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
A few days after the ECOWAS heads of state summit held in Accra on March 25, the Burkinabè government reacted.
In a press release, the ECOWAS heads of state said they were very concerned about the duration of the transition set at 36 months and also called for the immediate and unconditional release of former President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.
Advertising
Read more
With our correspondent in Ouagadougou
,
Yaya Boudani
The Burkinabè government says it takes “note” of
the analysis of the socio-political situation
made by the summit and the will of the summit to appoint a mediator in order to facilitate dialogue between the stakeholders and ensure a successful transition.
Regarding the duration of the transition, the government spokesperson underlines that it was adopted by consensus during the national assizes.
"
The government of Burkina Faso is only subject to one delay, that of doing things well, that of arranging its action according to the realities on the ground
", underlines Wendkouni Lionel Bilgo.
Family residence for Roch Kaboré
On the case of ex-president Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, the government spokesperson assures that consultations have been initiated for three weeks for his return to a family residence of his choice.
"
When a solution is decided upon, he will be in residence with appropriate security
," said Minister Bilgo, without specifying whether the former head of state will be free to move.
When asked whether the government is not afraid of sanctions, the head of Burkinabe diplomacy pleads instead for support from ECOWAS.
“
Burkina Faso is at a crossroads.
It hurts in its humanitarian, security, food aspect and the situation is very exacerbated
, ”insists Olivia Ragnaghnewendé Rouamba.
She adds that it is not appropriate to take drastic measures in such a context, otherwise it could push the Burkinabè into a posture of survival.
She also explains that ECOWAS is not a sanctioning organization, but rather a support structure.
A delegation led by Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, President of the ECOWAS Commission is expected in Ouagadougou this Friday, April 1.
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_EN
Burkina Faso
ECOWAS