Talks toward cilivian-led transition continue in Burkina Faso

(Vatican Radio) Presidents Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, John Mahama of Ghana, and Macky Sall of Senegal will be in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, on Wednesday for a series of meetings, aimed at pressing the military to transition power to civilians.

The military designated Lt Col Isaac Zida as Burkina Faso’s transitional leader on Friday, when President Blaise Campaore, who led the country for 27 years, resigned after mass protests against his attempt to amend the constitution so as to allow his re-election.

The African Union on Monday gave the military a two-week deadline to comply or face sanctions. The AU has said the military acted unconstitutionally in taking power. In the case of a presidential resignation, Burkina Faso's constitution stipulates that the head of the National Assembly is to take office.

In the face of Burkina Faso’s crisis in political leadership, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday also called for an inclusive, civilian-led transition leading to full constitutional order.

On Tuesday, Lt Col Zida met with opposition leaders and activists, as well as with religious leaders and traditional chiefs, after which he announced he would comply with the African Union’s demand for a civilian-led transition.

Following his meeting with the military leader, the Catholic archbishop of Ougadougou, Cardinal Philip Ouedraogo, said the military seemed open to dialogue.

In the meantime, order has been restored in the capital, with business activities reportedly returning to normal and no unusual military presence.

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