2015-01-22 10:41:00

The Catholic bishops of Burkina Faso call for free and transparent elections in the country


The Catholic bishops of Burkina Faso and Niger met recently for their plenary assembly to discuss issues regarding major seminaries in the two countries which share the same conference of bishops. On the sidelines of their plenary, the bishops were received in audience by Burkina Faso’s interim president Michel Kafando. Speaking to the press after the meeting, the current chairman of the Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Paul Ouédraogo of Bobo-Dioulasso said after the exchange of best wishes for the new year they discussed the transition taking place in the country.  He said as a conference they called on the interim government to ensure fair and transparent general and presidential elections scheduled in Burkina Faso later this year. The bishop said the church is committed to supporting and ensuring an orderly transition so that the country can continue to enjoy peace and prosperity.

Last November, after days of intense negotiations, a committee of political, military, religious and traditional authorities named Michel Kafando, a former foreign minister and veteran diplomat to oversee a transition to new elections following the overthrow of President Blaise Compaoré.

Mr. Compaoré, who had ruled the country for some 27 years, was ousted on 31 Oct. after days of mass protests against his plans to change the Constitution and remain in power.

The prime task of President Kafando now is to oversee a transition to elections by November next year.

Festus Tarawalie








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