The Chairman of the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS), President John Mahama led a delegation to Burkina Faso and managed to reach an agreement with various stakeholders to put in place a transitional government within a year.
Briefing the press after meeting with the leadership of the military, opposition and various stakeholders, Mahama said ECOWAS will put in place a transitional government that will lead Burkina Faso for the next one year until elections are held and a substantive President is appointed.
“…We will work together with you until we have achieved the steps that have been identified in the communiqué…As soon as those steps have been achieved, and I hope that will be in the shortest possible time, we will come back and join you here for the installation of a transitional government that will lead Burkina Faso for the next one year until elections are held and a substantive President and new National Assembly are installed.”
[contextly_sidebar id=”7BkPOCJsuxKsmf0r7cWumhgCGTOuFwLo”]Lt Col. Isaac Zida became the interim leader of Burkina Faso last Friday after violent protests forced President Blasie Compaore to resign after 27 years in power.
The three-day protest was sparked by attempts by President Compaore to amend the country’s constitution to extend his 27-year rule by five years.
President John Mahama and his colleague Presidents of Nigeria and Senegal arrived in the Burkina Faso capital of Ouagadougou and held discussions with Lt Col. Isaac Zida, the interim leader of the West African nation on Tuesday.
Mahama in his capacity as ECOWAS Chairman visited the country after receiving a report from a Joint Mission of ECOWAS, the AU and the United Nations (UN) that was sent to Burkina Faso to study the politically volatile situation.
The President also met the representatives of the United Nations (UN) in Burkina Faso, ECOWAS and also the African Union (AU).
Consensus reached by ECOWAS
Immediately lift the suspension of the constitution for the constitutional council to declare a power vacancy and the next step for establishing a transitional government.
Designate by consensus, a suitably eminent civilian to lead the transition.
Form a transitional government for one year period.
Organise presidential and legislative elections by November 2015.
Guarantee the security of all Burkinabes including political party leaders, members of the defunct government and national assembly and the protection of human rights and individual choices.
–
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana