Buhari condemns coup D’ETAT in Burkina Faso

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemn Wednesday’s detention of the Interim President, the Prime Minister and other ministers of the transitional government of Burkina Faso in an apparent coup d’etat.

A statement by Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the President and the Nigerian government aligns with ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations in rejecting the brazen contravention of the constitution and transitional charter of Burkina Faso by elements of the Presidential Guard under the leadership of General Gilbert Diendere.

“President Buhari and Nigeria urge the Defense and Security Forces of Burkina Faso to keep faith with the agreed transitional programme for the  return of the country to full democratic rule after elections, which were due to be held in the country on October 11, in support of which Nigeria has donated 20 pick-up vans to the National Electoral Commission of Burkina Faso” the statement reads.

Welcoming the news that the Interim President, Michel Kafando has now been freed, President Buhari also demanded the immediate release of Prime Minister Isaac Zida and other detained ministers.

“Nigeria will give the fullest possible support to ongoing efforts by the ECOWAS mediatory team of President Macky Sall of Senegal and President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic to quickly restore Burkina Faso to the path of order, democracy and constitutionalism” he said.

The President urges the people of Burkina Faso to remain calm and steadfast in support of the transitional order, elections and democratic governance with the full assurance that Nigeria, ECOWAS and the international community will uphold their right to peace, freedom, democracy and good governance.

The transitional government of Burkina Faso was Thursday dissolved  after an overthrow led by the country’s Regiment of Presidential Security one month ahead of general elections.

Presidential guard officers loyal to former President Blaise Compaore, who ruled for 27 years, had stormed a cabinet meeting at the presidential palace in Ouagadougou, the country’s capital, on Wednesday and arrested interim President Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Isaac Zida.

Gilbert Diendere, who was chief of staff to Campaore, was named the country’s new leader by the presidential guard.

Elizabeth Archibong