Burkina Faso: Ban Welcomes Appointment of Interim President

Burkina Faso: Ban Welcomes Appointment of Interim President, Signing of Transition Framework

17 November 2014 – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today congratulated the people of Burkina Faso on the signing of the Charter of the Transition and on the appointment of former foreign minister Michel Kafando as Transitional President.

The Charter of the Transition will provide the legal framework for a civilian-led transition culminating in elections in November 2015.

In a statement attributed to his spokesperson, Mr. Ban said he looks forward to the early appointment of the Transitional Prime Minister, as well as other members of the Transitional organs.

“The Secretary-General commends all Burkinabé stakeholders for their continuing commitment to peacefully engage in dialogue to address all outstanding issues,” the spokesperson said.

Thousands of Burkinabé protesters took to the streets earlier this month in the capital of Ouagadougou, facing off with security forces outside the presidential palace amid deadly violence that included the ransacking of Government buildings and the state television headquarters.

Following the violence, former President Blaise Compaoré announced his resignation, ending his 27-year stay in office, and handed power over to the military.

Today, Mr. Ban said that the UN, in cooperation with the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other international partners, will continue to support Burkina Faso in order to complete arrangements for the transition and to accompany its efforts during the transitional period leading to the holding of elections.

ENDS

© Scoop Media