The Burkina Faso military group that recently overthrew President Kobore’s democratic government, has warned former ministers not to leave the capital or cause obstructions during talks over how to return to a democratic government.
According to the officers, who call themselves Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR), deposed President Roch Kabore on Monday, January 24, 2022, saying his government had failed to contain worsening violence by armed groups.
The MPSR said it would propose a calendar for a return to constitutional order “within a reasonable timeframe” but has not explained its plans for a transition.
MPSR’s leader, Lieutenant Colonel Henri-Paul Damiba met members of the overthrown government of Kabore on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, according to one of the ex-ministers (name withheld), who was present at the meeting.
Damiba warned them not to do anything to obstruct the army or to travel outside the capital, but added that his doors are open to welcome any contribution they (ex-ministers) could offer to aid the transition, the former minister told media.
The army also met a group of trade union leaders on Thursday, January 27, 2022, in the capital, Ouagadougou.
“[Damiba] assured us that we will be consulted and included in what will be put in place,” Marcel Zante, who heads a trade umbrella grouping of 130 unions.
“Now we are waiting to see what happens on the ground,” he added.
Potential sanctions?
The meetings come ahead of a planned emergency summit with the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Friday, January 28, 2022, where members are set to discuss how to respond to the coup.
On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, ECOWAS, in a statement, by the bloc “firmly condemns” the coup, accusing the military of forcing Kabore to resign “under threat, intimidation and pressure”.
ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Mali and Guinea following military takeovers which took place in August 2020 and September 2021, respectively.
Deputy Head of Kabore’s People’s Movement for Progress (MPP) party, Clement Sawadogo, said; “The junta has to do its utmost to prevent international sanctions for Burkina Faso.”
He called for a “wise solution, to prevent an ongoing security crisis from intertwining with a socioeconomic crisis”.
This latest coup in West and Central Africa comes on the back of an increasingly bloody campaign waged by armed groups that have killed thousands and displaced millions across the Sahel region, wearing away faith in democratic leaders to combat the problem.
Military leaders in Mali and Guinea, as well as in the Central African nation of Chad, where the military took power in April 2021, have set up similar transitional governments with a mix of military officers and civilians.
Those in Mali and Chad agreed to an 18-month transitional plan into democratic elections, while Guinea, is yet to lay out a timeline.
Malian authorities, however, have gone back on their original commitment and have proposed to delay elections, originally scheduled for next month, by up to four years.
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