Burkina: no change in schedule after ECOWAS ultimatum on transition
Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba, transitional president of Burkina Faso, March 2, 2022. © OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT/AFP
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In Burkina Faso, the Burkinabè authorities will not present a new timetable for the transition.
Government spokesman Lionel Bilgo announced this on Monday, April 25, to AFP.
It was, however, a request from ECOWAS which, in February, had given until April 25 to the Burkinabè authorities to provide a “
reasonable timetable for a return to constitutional order.
»
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The transition charter, signed in early March, provides for a three-year period before holding free elections, a period deemed too long by ECOWAS, which threatens to take economic sanctions.
"
We are not going to sacrifice our efforts to bring peace to Burkina Faso by running behind an intangible calendar
", explains Lionel Bilgo to Agence France-Presse.
For the transitional authorities, the priorities are clear: we must first put an end to terrorism, before talking about a return to constitutional order.
“
Are we capable today, when we cannot cover 150
km on our territory, of organizing elections in peace and quiet
?
“Asks Lionel Bilgo who believes that the requirements of ECOWAS, “
do not take into account the realities on the ground
.
»
However, the stakes for Burkina are high.
Its economy, already damaged by insecurity, would suffer greatly from sanctions.
The country is experiencing unprecedented inflation and some major economic players, such as the Russian mining company Norgold, are ceasing their activities.
ECOWAS has not yet commented on the subject.
A source close to the organization explains that it still leaves a few days to continue discussions.
According to Lionel Bilgo, “
Burkina is in a very good position to hear the remarks of ECOWAS
.
»
Read also: Burkina Faso: the junta responds to ECOWAS on the transition and the case of President Kaboré
Among the demands of ECOWAS, there was also the "
unconditional
" release of former President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.
At the beginning of April, he was able to return to his home but according to some of his relatives, he is still not free of his movements and receives visits under certain conditions.
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Burkina Faso
ECOWAS
Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba