Monday, November 3, 2014
Burkina Faso Crisis! Citizens Calls For Military Exit As Army Denies Interest In Continued Stay In Power
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| A protester holds up a sign in French that reads "Zida get out" during a rally at the Place de la Nation |
In furtherance of the campaign for a truly democratic state, protesters in the West African state of Burkina Faso have again called on the military to give up power.
Following the protests that forced the country's long-time leader, President Blaise Compaore to resign last week Thursday, the army named Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida as the leader of a transitional government on Saturday.
However, thousands of protesters gathered on Sunday in the capital Ouagadougou, demonstrating against the army.
On Sunday evening, following a meeting with key opposition figures, a military spokesman said the army would put in place "a transition body... with all the components to be adopted by a broad consensus".
"Power does not interest us, only the greater interest of the nation," the military said in its statement.
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| Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida is currently acting head of state |
The UN has condemned the military takeover and threatened sanctions.
Mass protests first erupted last week when long-time leader Mr Compaore attempted to extend his 27-year rule.
Parts of the parliament building were set on fire, and the president fled to Ivory Coast.
Under Burkina Faso's constitution, the president of the Senate should take over after the national president resigns and an election should take place between 60 and 90 days afterwards.
The African Union, the US and regional economic bloc Ecowas have all condemned the military takeover.
The UN's West Africa envoy Mohamed Ibn Chambas said the military must allow a civilian transfer of power, and sanctions were a possibility if this did not happen.
Credit:BBC, AFP, CNN
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