The leader of Burkina Faso's ruling junta, Lt. Col. Damiba, deposed on Friday by Captain Ibrahim Traore but who refused to abdicate, finally agreed to resign on Sunday, religious and community leaders said.

"Following the mediation actions" carried out by these leaders between the two rivals, "President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba himself proposed his resignation in order to avoid confrontations with serious human and material consequences", they indicate in a communicated.

They specify that Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba "laid down seven conditions" for agreeing to resign, including "the guarantee of the security and non-prosecution" of the soldiers engaged at his side, "the guarantee of his security and his rights, as well as those of his collaborators" and "respect for the commitments made" with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for a return of power to civilians within two years.

“Avoid a fratricidal war”

Religious and community leaders, who are very influential in Burkina Faso, say that Captain Traoré "has accepted" these conditions, and they "invite the population to calm, restraint and prayer".

Since the announcement Friday evening by soldiers led by Captain Traoré of the dismissal of Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba - himself who came to power by a coup d'etat in January - tension reigned in Burkina.

The ousted putschist had made it clear that he did not intend to abdicate, despite demonstrations in Ouagadougou demanding his departure for two days.

On Saturday, he called on the new putschists "to come to their senses to avoid a fratricidal war which Burkina Faso does not need in (the) context" of the jihadist violence which has plagued the country since 2015.

A separate press release published on Sunday by the pro-Traoré military indicates that the captain "is in charge of the dispatch of current affairs until the swearing in of the President of Faso designated by the living forces of the nation", on a date not specified.

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  • Rebellion