AU worried over unrest in Burkina Faso

The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has expressed deep concern about the unfolding situation in Burkina Faso saying she is following its evolution very closely.

She has called for calm and utmost restraint from all the parties concerned.

Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma urges the Burkinabe political actors and people to refrain from all acts of violence and act in the supreme interest of their country.

A decision by Burkina Faso’s President, Blaise Compaore to extend his 27-year-rule was met with protest.

[contextly_sidebar id=”IIAfYnr6CcoqX1EfOFs79dibS3JRJn7d”]Hundreds of protesters earlier on Thursday stormed the Parliament and set portions ablaze in the capital, Ouagadougou in protest against the decision.

“The military also opened fire in an attempt to disperse the protesters,” a BBC reporter said.

Members of Parliament had to suspend a vote on changing the constitution to allow Mr Compaore to stand for re-election next year.

The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union has urgently dispatched a high – level team that will form part of a joint delegation comprising the AU, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations (UN) to Burkina Faso to consult with all the stakeholders.

The Chairperson also appealed to the Burkinabe authorities to facilitate the visit of the joint delegation.

The Chairperson assured the people of Burkina Faso of the unflinching support of the AU, as they look for political solutions to the current difficulties facing their country.

Mr Compaore first took power in a coup in 1987, and has won four disputed elections since then.

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By: Godwin Allotey Akweiteh/citifmonline.com/Ghana