Buhari condemns Burkina Faso coup, demands restoration of civil authority

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday condemned Wednesday’s detention of the Interim President, Prime Minister and other ministers of the transitional government of Burkina Faso in a coup d’etat.

Mr. Buhari said Nigeria aligned 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”.

The president urged the Defence 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.

A statement by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina, said Nigeria had donated 20 pick-up vans to the National Electoral Commission of Burkina Faso for the country’s elections due to be held on October 11.

“While welcoming the news that the Interim President, Mr. Michel Kafando has now been freed, President Buhari and Nigeria also demand the immediate release of Prime Minister Isaac Zida and other detained ministers.’’

According to the statement, 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.

President Buhari, however, urged the people of Burkina Faso to remain calm and steadfast in support of the transitional order, elections and democratic governance.

The president also assured that Nigeria, ECOWAS and the international community would uphold their right to peace, freedom, democracy and good governance. (NAN)