UN calls for the release of detained Burkina Faso’s president, others

The Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon has called for the release of the president of Burkina Faso, Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac Zida of Burkina Faso, as well as a number of Ministers of State, who are were being detained by by the Régiment de Sécurité Présidentielle in Ouagadougou.

The Secretary-General said the detention was a flagrant violation of Burkina Faso’s Constitution and Transitional Charter.

He stated that the United Nations was in solidarity with the transitional authorities and President Kafando. He called the strong support of the people of Burkina Faso for a peaceful transition and urges compliance with the transitional calendar, including the upcoming elections.

United Nations’ Special Representative for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, is presently in Ouagadougou and working closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union and other international partners to support and safeguard the transition in Burkina Faso.