Burkina Faso’s army backed a military colonel as the country’s transitional leader on Saturday after the resignation of President Blaise Compaore, resolving a power struggle within the armed forces by sidelining the chief of staff.

The army appointed Lt. Col. Isaac Yacouba Zida to lead Burkina Faso, military leaders said in a declaration following talks aimed at averting bloodshed after Zida had declared himself head of state in an early morning radio address.

 

“I call on the international community, in particular countries that are friends and allies of Burkina Faso, notably in the African Union and ECOWAS, to demonstrate their understanding and support our people in this difficult time,” Zida said.

In supporting Zida, Burkina Faso’s top military officials overruled army chief of staff General Honore Traore, who had said Friday that he would take over power.

“Lieutenant Colonel Yacouba Issaac Zida has been elected unanimously to lead the transition period opened after the departure of President Blaise Compaore,” read a statement issued after military chiefs met to decide on the dispute between Zida and Traore.

On Friday Zida, representing a group of junior army officers, said the group had “taken the destiny of the nation in hand” while the constitution was suspended and a transitional government was in formation.

Compaore, Burkina Faso’s former president, stepped down after protesters stormed parliament and set the building ablaze, ending his 27-year reign and sparking a struggle in the military for control of the West African country.

The longtime leader arrived in neighboring Ivory Coast Saturday. Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara confirmed that Compaore, his family and those close to him crossed into the country. It did not elaborate.

US condemnation

The United States Friday repeated its call for all sides to follow the constitutionally mandated process for the transfer of power Compaore’s resignation.

“We condemn any attempts by the military or other parties to take advantage of the situation for unconstitutional gain and call on all parties to respect the people’s support for the democratic process,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

The State Department also issued a travel warning Friday alerting U.S. citizens to incidents of looting throughout the capital city of Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, and other parts of the country.

“The situation is dynamic and closures or openings of border and airports are likely to change and remain unpredictable for some time. Currently, land and air borders have been closed.”

In resigning Friday, Compaore had called for a 90-day transition period leading to elections. He ruled the country for 27 years after seizing power in a 1987 coup.

Unrest had broken out Thursday as lawmakers prepared to vote on a constitutional amendment that would have allowed Compaore to run for another term.  

The government withdrew the amendment after protests became violent. [Read More]

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Source: VOA News: Economy and Finance