Tuesday, November 18, 2014

AU Commends Nigeria, ECOWAS for Emergence of Transitional Government in Burkina Faso
African Union Commission Chair Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Written by NAN

THE Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dlamini Zuma, has commended Nigeria's President, Goodluck Jonathan and ECOWAS Chairman, John Dramani-Mahama of Ghana, for their role in restoring costitutional order in Burkina Faso.

This is contained in a statement from the Commission's Information and Communication Directorate on Tuesday in Addis Ababa.

The authorities in Ouagadugou, the Burkinabe capital, on Sunday appointed former Foreign Minster, Michel Kafando, as Transitional President, ending the short military dictatorship, after the former leader, Blaise Campoare resigned last month.

``Zuma commends President Macky Sall of Senegal, Chair of the Contact Group on Burkina Faso, Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, and Faure Gnassingbe of Togo, for their important role in supporting the Burkinabe people and stakeholders.

``She also welcomes the contribution of the joint AU/ECOWAS/United Nations (UN) missions, comprising the AU Special Envoy, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, and the UN Special Representative for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas.

``Zuma welcomes the significant progress made in Burkina Faso towards the establishment of a civilian-led transition, in conformity with the aspirations of the people of Burkina Faso for change and the consolidation of democracy.``

The Chairperson of the Commission also welcomed the restoration of the Constitution and the signing of the Transitional Constitutional Charter on Sunday, Nov. 16 in Ouagadougou.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) rerports that the charter was signed by  Burkinabe stakeholders in the presence of the AU Special Envoy for Burkina Faso, Mr. Edem Kodjo.

Zuma noted with satisfaction the appointment of a civilian, Michel Kafando, as President of the transition.

She said the development was in line with the communiqué of the 465th meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), held on Nov.3.

The Chairperson of the Commission expressed appreciation to the stakeholders and Burkinabe people for their political maturity and sense of responsibility which made it possible to take the steps.

She encouraged the people of the West African country to persevere in their efforts to ensure a civilian-led transition, in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Burkina Faso and the AUPSC communiqué.

Zuma reiterated AU’s commitment in cooperation with ECOWAS and the UN to support the efforts of the Burkinabe stakeholders for the completion of the transition within the agreed timeframe.

She called on the larger international community to support these efforts and to mobilise the necessary support in favor of Burkina Faso.

NAN reports that the Burkina Faso former President, Blaise Campoare, was forced to resign following protest in Ouagadugou in October.

The country's opposition groups had staged the protest, following former President Blaise Campoare's attempt to ammend the country's constitution to extend his 27 years rule.

On Oct. 31 an army spokesman said that Compaoré had been removed and the army had taken over the leadership of the country with Lt.-Col. Isaac Zida as head of government.

The development, however, did not go down well with the AU Peace and Security Council, which announced a-two-week ultimatum for the military to hand over to a transitional government or face sanctions.

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