The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday called for an extraordinary summit to examine the situation in coup-hit Burkina Faso, reported CGTN Africa.
On Monday, soldiers in Burkina Faso announced on state television that they have seized power following a mutiny. According to security sources, President Roch Kaboré was arrested and detained at the Sangoulé Lamizana barracks, along with the head of parliament and ministers.
Led by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR) announced the overthrow of the government and the suspension of the nation’s constitution.
In a statement, the West African bloc strongly condemned the military coup that marks a major democratic setback for Burkina Faso.
“The ECOWAS notes that, despite calls from the regional and international community for calm and respect for constitutional legality, the situation in Burkina Faso is characterized by a military coup this Monday, January 24, 2022, following the resignation of the President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, obtained under threat, intimidation and pressure from the military after two days of mutiny,” the ECOWAS said in the statement.
In a press release on Tuesday, the South African Government said that the soldiers should return to barracks and opt for talks with the authorities to resolve all problems. The press release said that there can never be a military solution to issues of this nature, dialogue and negotiation are the only means of resolving conflict and arriving at lasting resolutions.
The African Union has also condemned the forceful takeover of power. The African Union Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat called on Burkina Faso’s military troops to ensure the safety of the president and his detained ministers and urged for the crisis to be resolved through dialogue.
Burkina Faso has become the third West African country to face a military takeover in recent years after Guinea and Mali.
