WASHINGTON (AP) – The State Department is warning US citizens against travel to Burkina Faso and advising Americans who are there to leave as soon as possible. Reuters News agency reports that President Michel Kafando would be restored as head of the transitional government, though the body’s military members would be excluded, a move likely aimed at eliminating Prime Minister Isaac Zida, seen as Diendere’s chief opponent.
Advertisement
The statement titled “The coup in Burkina Faso: A challenge to democracy” reads “The coup last Wednesday that saw the arrest and detention of the Interim President and Prime Minister of Burkina Faso by a group of Military officers is a challenge to democracy not just for that country, but the African Continent, and merits strong condemnation by all well-meaning people throughout the world”.
The coup was carried out by allies of President Blaise Compaore, who was ousted by street protests a year ago .
Pressure for the junta leaders to step aside increased earlier on Monday as the military said its forces were converging on Ouagadougou, the capital, to disarm them, “without bloodshed”.
“The army say their goal is to protect the public from the presidential guard”. He apologized to the nation and the worldwide community in a statement late Monday and said he was willing to relinquish power once there was an agreement reached to end the crisis.
Witnesses said the military units were greeted along their march to the capital by crowds of people cheering.
French President Francois Hollande expressed in his statement “to immediately lay down arms and hand over power to the legitimate authorities or face the consequences”. The army had urged the residents of the capital on Monday to go home and stay indoors.
France’s position was echoed by the heads of state of neighbouring Niger and Chad, who called upon the presidential guard to disarm and return to barracks. Regional mediators have tried in recent days to broker a deal to restore civilian rule and hold elections by November . 22, but people on both sides of the political impasse have rejected terms of the proposal.
“We don’t agree with what ECOWAS decided”, said protester Ahmed Zio in the Zone One neighbourhood.
And they have also proposed an amnesty for those behind the coup – a suggestion that has sparked widespread anger on the streets.
Gen. Gilbert Diendere said his presidential guard unit “confirms our commitment to giving power back to civilian authorities”. Kafando was also sceptical that any solution to the crisis would be achieved during an ECOWAS summit in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said he had not been invited to attend.
Advertisement
Soldiers from the presidential guard were largely absent from Ouagadougou’s streets for the first time since Wednesday’s coup, and it was not clear where Mr Diendere was. “They are terrorists. We don’t want to hear about the RSP any more”.
