Burkina Faso military junta frees interim president as Buhari condemns coup d’etat

Head of the military junta in Burkina Faso, General Gilbert Diendere, on Friday announced the release of the interim President, Michel Kafando, and two of his ministers.
The junta took power on Thursday.
Diendere was for three decades the chief military adviser to former President Blaise Compaore.
He made the announcement on state television on Friday in Ouagadougou that the Interim Prime Minister, Yacouba Zida was still under house arrest.
“I confirm that President Kafando has been freed. He is in good health.’’
Diendéré said he had had no contact with Compaoré, since he was ousted as president of the country in October, 2014.
He insisted on Friday in Ouagadougou during an interview that he had no contact with the former president.
Diendéré, former chief of personal staff of Compaoré, was named Head of the National Council for Democracy (CND) formed by the coup makers on Thursday.
He said that the coup was carried out because the new electoral law in the country excluded Compaoré’s supporters from upcoming presidential and legislative elections.
He confirmed that soldiers on Wednesday night detained interim President, Michel Kafando, the Prime Minister, Isaac Zida, and other government officials.
“We will not keep them indefinitely; we will release them,’’ he said, adding that he had the support of the defence and security forces.
The coup has been roundly condemned by the UN, African Union, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the U.S. and France, among others.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government of Nigeria have condemned the coup d’etat.
A statement by Buhari’s Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, reads: “Buhari and Nigeria align 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.
“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.
“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.
“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”.